Mega Help battle of the bands draws 1,042 young people to Finsbury Park to raise mental health awareness

More than a thousand young people gathered at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park for Mega Help, a battle of the bands event run by Victory Youth Group (VYG). The event combined a music competition with first‑person testimony, films about VYG's work, volunteer stories, prayer and a dedicated support space for attendees to talk through how they were feeling.

HORIZON won the competition and closed the event with their winning song. A member of HORIZON said: "Winning today means a great deal to us, but the real win is being part of something that helps other young people feel seen. We hope our music reminds anyone who is struggling that they are not on their own."

Organisers positioned the event as both a showcase and a support forum. Films explained VYG's work, volunteers shared testimony, and a space called the Let It Out Corner was available so young people could open up and receive support on the day. Prayer was part of the programme.

Passos, UK head of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), was delivered under the theme "You are unique!" He said the message to attendees was: "you matter, you are not alone, and there is always help and hope." VYG is the youth arm of the UCKG.

The event used live music to attract a large youth audience and layered that programming with opportunities for conversation and support around mental health. For parents, youth workers and community organisers, Mega Help offers a model for combining entertainment with accessible mental health touchpoints on site: performances to draw attendance, testimony to normalise experience, and an on‑site space where attendees can speak to someone.

Bishop Allan Passos: "Every young person in the room on Saturday is unique and deeply valued. Our message was a simple one: you matter, you are not alone, and there is always help and hope. Events like Mega Help remind young people that whatever they are going through, support is there."

HORIZON member: "Winning today means a great deal to us, but the real win is being part of something that helps other young people feel seen. We hope our music reminds anyone who is struggling that they are not on their own."

Mega Help combined music and faith‑based organisation activity to create a single‑day space where young people could perform, listen and access peer and volunteer support. The event registered strong attendance and ended with HORIZON announced as the band competition winners.