Free Family Peace Retreat Offers a Screen-Free Day of Wellbeing in Widnes

Families looking for a chance to slow down, reconnect and enjoy some quality time together this summer will have the perfect opportunity at a special free event taking place in Widnes.

On Sunday 2nd August, Fortuna Female Society and the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project are joining forces to host a Family Peace Retreat at St Marie's Church. 

Open to everyone, whether attending alone, with friends or as a family, the day has been designed to encourage people to switch off from the pressures of everyday life and spend time focusing on their wellbeing.

The event comes at an ideal point in the school summer holidays, when many parents are juggling childcare and children often find themselves spending more time than usual glued to their phones or tablets. Instead of another day spent in front of a screen, the retreat offers a welcoming space where families can relax, learn new wellbeing techniques and enjoy meaningful time together.

The Peace Retreat builds on an existing partnership between the two organisations. Earlier this year, the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project successfully piloted its Flourishing Families programme with Fortuna Female Society's Let Her Shine group, supporting local mums, female carers and their daughters over six sessions. This latest event expands that approach, opening it up to the wider Halton community.

Throughout the day, adults and teenagers can take part in a range of wellbeing sessions held inside a large tipi. Activities include yoga, tai chi, breathwork, meditation and sound baths, all led by experienced local practitioners.

Families haven't been forgotten either. There will be dedicated children's yoga and tai chi sessions alongside Flourishing Families activities, before the day concludes with a relaxing family sound bath that everyone can enjoy together.

Visitors can also take advantage of complimentary taster treatments, including reflexology, Indian head massage and hand massages. 

All activities operate on a first come, first served basis, while food and refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day. With all activities taking place under cover, the retreat will go ahead whatever the weather.

Laura Bevan, Founder of Fortuna Female Society, told That's Health that the partnership felt like a natural fit, with both organisations sharing a passion for improving wellbeing and strengthening community connections.

Esther Ghey, Founder of the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project, said she was proud to be collaborating on the project's first-ever Peace Retreat and looked forward to welcoming families for a day dedicated to wellness and relaxation.

Admission is free, but advance booking is essential, making this a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a calm, restorative day together during the summer holidays.

https://fortunafemale.org

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/peace-retreat-2026-tickets-1992410525516

Enhancing Support for Families of Children with Life-Limiting Conditions in Greater Manchester

Kentown Support has launched a new partnership with Gaddum, a Greater Manchester based mental health and carers' charity, to strengthen services for families of babies, children, and young people living with life-limiting conditions across Greater Manchester.

As part of Kentown Support’s community-focused palliative and end-of-life care model, Gaddum will deliver a comprehensive programme of therapeutic counselling to parents, siblings, and wider family members through its Palliative and End-of-Life Therapy Service. 

Through this regional model, Gaddum will provide a dedicated service, offering open-ended counselling for families with a child receiving palliative or end-of-life care. Specialist bereavement support will also be available to help families process loss, sustain relationships and rebuild wellbeing during the most challenging times.

Dr Helena Dunbar, Chief Executive Officer of Kentown Support, told That's Health: “Our vision at Kentown Support is to ensure that every child and family living with a life-limiting condition can access community-based palliative care. 

"The Kentown Model, with support from various partners, brings together nursing, practical, and emotional support —ensuring care is seamless, compassionate, and close to home.”

The partnership will also provide age-appropriate therapeutic interventions for siblings, wellbeing sessions for Kentown’s Children’s Palliative Care Community Nurse Specialists, and improved access to emotional support across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs.

Together, Kentown Support and Gaddum are committed to ensuring families receive equitable, specialist care whenever and wherever they need it most.

Kentown Support was established in 2025 with the generous support of The Kentown Wizard Foundation. Their mission is to improve the provision of community palliative care for children and families across the UK. It is their belief that every child with a life-limiting condition, and their family,  should have access to a model of integrated community children’s palliative care, whenever and wherever they need it.

Kentown Support works to:

develop sustainable, high-quality community-based children’s palliative care teams

support and collaborate with healthcare professionals, local services, and community partners to create a more coordinated, accessible services

share and fund research and training resources to improve understanding, build knowledge and drive advancements in children’s palliative care

Find out more at: www.kentownsupport.org.uk

Gaddum is a mental health and carers charity that has provided counselling services and practical support to individuals and communities throughout Greater Manchester for almost 200 years.

Find out more at: www.gaddum.org.uk