LAVA has been announced as the headline sponsor of Place2Be’s Arts & Minds Gala Dinner 2026, marking the firm’s first headline sponsorship and the launch of its new, multi-year approach to charitable partnerships. Place2Be’s Arts & Minds Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday, 18 June 2026 at Smith Square Hall, London. The evening will bring together business leaders, creatives, and other supporters to raise vital funds for children and young people’s mental health, while shining a light on the vital role that art plays in developing children’s resilience and their connections with each other.
In 2020, during a period of unprecedented challenge for young people, LAVA established its Positive Change initiative with a commitment of 2.5% of annual revenue to supporting youth mental health and wellbeing. Five years on, and having donated over £500,000 to charitable causes, the firm is now evolving that commitment through longer-term partnerships that give charities funding certainty and scope to plan for greater impact.
LAVA’s sponsorship of Place2Be’s Arts & Minds event forms part of a 2-3-year bespoke partnership model, to be tailored and agreed with each charity partner to deliver maximum impact. Transparent, guaranteed funding levels reduce reliance on short-term fundraising and enable more ambitious and sustainable programming.
As LAVA has grown into an established adviser in the lower-mid-market, we’ve been keen to raise our ambitions when it comes to the impact we can have beyond our client work. Moving to multi-year partnerships is about backing the organisations we believe in with confidence and intention, and we’re proud to be supporting Place2Be’s vital work with children and young people for the long term.
Simon Woodcock Partner at LAVA Advisory Partners
We are so grateful to LAVA Advisory Partners for their generous support of this year’s Arts & Minds Gala Dinner. Arts & Minds is one of the most uplifting moments in our calendar – a celebration of creativity, connection, and the extraordinary potential within every child. With LAVA’s support, the evening will not only raise vital funds but also shine a spotlight on the role of the arts in helping young people express themselves, build confidence, and find their voice.
Catherine Roche Chief Executive at Place2Be
As conversations around mental health grow louder and more urgent, it is heartening to stand alongside partners who recognise the vital importance of supporting children and young people. LAVA Advisory Partners’ generous headline sponsorship of Arts & Minds strengthens our ability to support those navigating emotional challenges who may not have the resources they need and deserve. Together, we are helping to build a future where every child feels seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.
Caroline Sherman Place2Be’s Arts & Minds Gala Committee Chair and Development Board Member
The biennial gala dinner was created in 2022 to shine a light on the vital role that the arts play in developing children’s resilience and their connections with each other and features a champagne reception, three-course dinner, fine art, entertainment, and live and silent auctions.
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Place2Be is a leading children’s mental health charity providing school-based support and in-depth training programmes to improve the emotional wellbeing of pupils, families, teachers and school staff, enabling children and young people to thrive. The charity currently provides an embedded mental health service in 650 UK primary and secondary schools, supporting a school community of around 350,000 children and young people.
