Prince William returned to public engagements this March, opening the doors to Mentivity House, a new initiative aimed at fostering creativity and community connection. Mentivity House is located in the very area that is important to its founder Sayce Holmes-Lewis. It’s home to a wide range of workshops, youth clubs, and community initiatives—including food and hygiene banks.
During his visit, Prince William engaged with local youth by participating in video games, notably a competitive round of Mario Kart against 10-year-old Zia. In a closely contested match, Prince William praised Zia’s skills, saying, “Brilliant. Neck and neck the whole way. Well done, well played.” His engagements ranged from taking selfies to giving hugs with eager followers – even experiencing a warm welcome from a school-community in his home state.
Mentivity House is a really important place for young people to discover their capabilities and grow into adulthood with essential life skills. It emphasizes the importance of mentorship, with Prince William noting, “You are like life coaches, slash apprenticeships – that’s what you guys are doing. It’s so important.” He acknowledged the need for such initiatives across the country, stating, “Looking around the rest of the country, I can’t think of a place that doesn’t need a Mentivity, and that’s troubling. How do you roll something like this out nationally?”
The royal visit included a roundtable discussion hosted by Tim Campbell MBE, where Prince William shared insights on community support and empowerment. He emphasized the importance of community resources, remarking, “Not everyone has Mentivity on their doorstep.”
In addition to his appearance at Mentivity House, Prince William attended Aston Villa’s Champions League quarter-final matches alongside his son, Prince George. This two-pronged approach demonstrated the prince’s dedication to both community engagement and royal responsibilities.
In his statement, Sayce Holmes-Lewis thanked Prince William for his encouragement and interest, particularly in engaging local young people. The day concluded with Prince William participating in a football game with teenagers at Mentivity House, further solidifying his hands-on approach to youth engagement.
Prince William’s visit highlighted a major investment in the importance of youth and community development. His excitement for Mentivity House embodies a commitment to creating spaces where imagination, curiosity, and self-discovery flourish.
