Mum of Brianna Ghey on 'mindfulness mission'

The mother of murdered Brianna Ghey has spoken of her "mission" to improve the mental health of children in schools.

Brianna, 16, who was transgender, was lured to a park in Culcheth, Warrington, and stabbed to death by teenagers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe in February 2023.

Esther Ghey has credited mindfulness techniques with saving her life amidst the grief and said children impacted by traumatic events like the Southport stabbings could also benefit.

Ms Ghey already works with schools and has also organised a non-profit mindfulness festival in Warrington due to start later.

The festival, at the Engine Rooms in Birchwood Park, will feature motivational speakers, six teepees with themes such as yoga, soundbaths and meditation, and activities for children.

She told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I do think that immediate help really helps with children's trauma, because when something like this happens it's a ripple effect.

"It doesn't only affect the families but it affects everybody in the local community."

Ms Ghey said she had already worked with her daughter's school, Birchwood High, to embed mindfulness into lessons.

She said: "I think there's such a misconception about mindfulness, that it's quite airy fairy or woo-woo, but it's not really.

"It's just about being more aware in the present moment, and building that mental resilience and mental fitness."

Ms Ghey said she observed a lesson for six and seven-year-olds at Birchwood conducted by the organisation Mindfulness in Schools.

"It was quite an active session, so it was just like letting them tune into their senses and being more aware of the present moment," she said.

"It was such a lovely heartwarming thing to watch and the children were so engaged."

• Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe: Teenagers who tried to get away with Brianna Ghey murder
• I’ve never felt such grief, says Brianna Ghey's mum
• Scarlett Jenkinson was moved to Brianna Ghey's school after spiking younger girl

Ms Ghey has founded a Community Interest Company, Peace in Mind UK, which aims to roll-out mindfulness lessons more widely.

"I really want this to roll out as soon as possible because I want everybody to have access to this," she said.

"The health and wellbeing sector, the mindfulness world, it's all quite middle-class, upper middle-class, and there's barriers like cost barriers, and I don't think that is necessary.

"I feel like that's my mission now to break down those barriers and make sure this is accessible for everybody."

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