Military children take part in mindfulness workshop

Dozens of children from military families have taken part in a special workshop hosted by the charity Little Troopers.

The children, from four different schools in Oxfordshire, all currently have a parent serving in the British Armed Forces.

The interactive workshop involved a range of activities, including drawing, storytelling, movement and mindfulness practice.

It was designed to help service children better navigate the "unique challenges" they face growing up in, and around, the armed forces.

Helena, who was taking part in the session, told the BBC that it was "comforting" to meet other children in similar situations.

"Its nice to meet other people and talk about their experiences," she added.

Fellow attendee Eliza added: "Its nice to know that other people are going through the same thing and you're not the only one in the world, so you can talk about it."

Louise Fetigan, founder of the charity Little Troopers, said military children faced "lots of unique challenges", including separation from a parent and moving home, and school, regularly.

"This workshop is about looking at the emotions and feelings, and talking about how we can deal with those and giving the children lots of resources and tools as they go through life as a military child," she said.

The workshop is one in a series organised by Oxfordshire County Council aimed at supporting children whose parents are in the armed forces.

Councillor John Howson, who is responsible for children and education, said: “These workshops are designed to encourage service personnel children to share their lived experiences, to ensure they are both recognised and celebrated."

He added that he hoped the sessions would "strengthen each child’s sense of identity" and help them "thrive at school".

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