Parents tell their story of tragic teen Kibi in Downing Street meeting with Prime Minister

Former De Aston School pupil Kibi Wade (Barrett), was found dead aged 16 at her family home in Caistor on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

An inquest into her death was opened in 2024 but was adjourned to allow further investigation and is yet to be concluded. However stepmother Michelle Gardner, who lives in Louth, and Kibi’s mum, Michelle Barrett, who lives in Waltham, have been adding their weight to mental health charities and campaigns to limit the harms of online content on young people.

On Tuesday, May 28, both mums joined a group of bereaved parents headed up by Ellen Roome on a visit to 10 Downing Street to discuss how social media was responsible for the deaths of their children and what actions the Government should take to safeguard young people.

The two Michelles are part of the group of parents commenting on the Government consultation into potentially banning under 16s from using social media. They have travelled to London several times to campaign about changes to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act which focuses on safeguarding children, supporting those in care, and implementing broad education and welfare reforms in England. The changes have been passed back and forth between the House of Lords and House of Commons.

The parents group delivered a letter to Number 10 in April asking for a meeting, but Kibi’s stepmum Michelle said the very next day, representatives of the big social media companies were seen visiting Number 10. “It was a kick in the teeth,” said Michelle. Finally they were offered a date with the Prime Minister.

Stepmum Michelle said: “We had our say and told him our stories about how we had lost our children and the common theme of social media.

"He listened and made notes and promised something will happen in weeks, not months."

Michelle commented: “It was quite surreal. Number 10 is a beautiful building and we came out to face the press lined all the way down Downing Street with Harry the cat basking in the sun.”

They were beckoned over for several interviews.

"It felt positive. We felt we could actually talk to the Prime Minister like another parent and he was quite down to earth, but it is a tragic reason for getting to meet him. We would give anything just to see Kibi one more time.”

They heard on Sunday (May 31) from government minister Liz Kendall that 90 per cent of parents in the survey had been in favour of a restriction on social media for children.”

Coming up on August 1 will be the third charity Kibi Memorial Motorcycle Ride from Wragby Marketplace, gathering at 10.30am to set off at 11am through the Lincolnshire Wolds to arrive at 1pm at Seaview Cafe in Mablethorpe.

Lawless Rider will be serving refreshments from their biker clothing shop at Wragby and there will be further refreshments at the Seaview Cafe.

It will be in aid of charities Amparo and The Compassionate Friends. Amparo offers support workers for bereaved families who have lost loved ones to suicide, while Compassionate Friends support parents who have lost children to suicide.

Kibi’s family have benefited from an Amparo support worker and they hope representatives of both charities will be able to speak at the event.

"We are hoping for 200 bikers, to raise quite a bit of money,” said stepmum Michelle. “There is a minimum £5 donation to join in the ride and we will be taking buckets round the villages we pass through.

Michelle Gardner will also act as a link in a charity event on June 28 the Relay Riders UK will set off from Mablethorpe, carrying a cuddly bear coast to coast in a massive relay in aid of Mental Health Motorbike. After the first leg to Caistor fir station, Michelle will ride the next leg to Lincoln Cathedral.