Students took part in four workshops throughout the day, each offering a unique opportunity for reflection, creativity, and personal growth. One of the sessions, Transology: Who Are We and What Makes Us Happy?, was led by a London-based team who have spent the past decade gathering stories from over 1,000 individuals about their experiences of gender transition. Fresh from curating an art exhibition in London featuring more than 1,300 personal items, the team invited students to explore their own identities by creating Zines — small, handmade four-page magazines — using craft materials to represent who they are and what brings them joy. Mrs Rust reflected, "Seeing the students relax, be themselves, and take part in activities that made them happy and excited was such an important part of the day."

In another workshop, students explored the natural world through the Queer Gardens experience — a walk around campus that invited them to reflect on identity and belonging in nature. Year 9 student Corey, remarked, "The whole atmosphere was just amazing — it felt so open and empowering!"

Students also contributed to the Rainbow Wall, a session focused on student voices and the importance of supportive environments. They shared thoughtful reflections on the support they currently receive, what more is needed, and why safe spaces are essential for wellbeing. Mr Gould commented, "It’s so important to see students openly express themselves amongst like-minded people — such a key part of supporting mental health."

The final workshop centred around NHS mental health values, encouraging students to consider what makes them who they are and how to take care of their mental wellbeing. The session gave students practical tools to better understand themselves and support one another in meaningful, lasting ways.

Throughout the day, students demonstrated maturity, creativity, and compassion. Mrs Chalmers praised their positive engagement: "They are a credit to their schools — but more importantly, a credit to themselves. They were so grown-up and considerate throughout the day, really listening, engaging, and being creative in their responses. It was wonderful to see them be themselves, care about their mental health, and share their opinions with such confidence and empathy."

The event left a lasting impression on many. Year 9 student Ella reflected, "Today has been amazing — I learnt so much and felt like I could just be myself," while Year 10 student Isabelle summed it up perfectly: "Events like this really bring us together — it’s nice knowing you’re not alone."

Thanks to the efforts of the Intercom Trust and the University of Exeter, students across Devon were given the opportunity to connect, express themselves, and be celebrated for who they are.