Molly Rose Foundation

Molly Rose Foundation

During our recent INSET day, staff had the privilege of welcoming a truly inspiring guest, Mr Ian Russell MBE, who shared valuable insights into his remarkable work with the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF).

In November 2017, 14-year-old Molly Russell from Harrow, London, tragically took her own life. After learning that his daughter had been exposed to thousands of pieces of content promoting suicide and self-harm, Mr Ian Russell launched a campaign to remove such harmful material from social media. Mr Ian Russell now shares his personal journey for justice, and the powerful impact of Molly’s story.

The Head, Dr Alex Peterken, and Mr Ian Russell MBE

Mr Ian Russell MBE delivered an engaging and thought-provoking presentation, highlighting the significant strides being made in research, prevention and advocacy through the MRF’s initiatives. Staff were deeply moved by Molly’s story and the poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our communities.

His visit offered a profound opportunity for our staff to gain a deeper understanding of the critical efforts being made to address online safety, and the important role education plays in raising awareness of mental health. This impactful talk came just days after he addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling on him to act urgently to protect young people online.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr Ian Russell MBE for taking the time to join us, and for his unwavering commitment to such a vital mission. His visit has not only enriched our knowledge but also set in motion a year of meaningful work that the School will be undertaking in partnership with MRF during Mental Health Week (2 to 8 February) and beyond.

If you would like to find out more about Mr Ian Russell's work through the Molly Rose Foundation, please visit the link below:

Molly Rose Foundation

If you are affected by any of the themes in this article, please reach out for support.