Layla Owens, 28, would ‘do anything for anybody’
Layla was known as someone who could make friends with anyone across the world(Image: Supplied)
Tributes have been paid to a “kind and caring” woman who made “everyone’s lives better”. Layla Owens, a 28 year-old from Fazakerely, died in January 2025.
Layla spent several years teaching languages at the Blackley Co-Op Academy in Manchester. Even after she left teaching, she would volunteer at a library in Manchester every weekend.
Layla had a wide variety of skills. She also worked in the prestigious Nord restaurant in Liverpool city centre at a time when she was considering becoming a chef.
She also worked at a law firm in Manchester and spoke many different languages. During her life, Layla became known for her many acts of generosity.
Paying tribute to her daughter, her mum Anne Owens, 58, told the ECHO: ”She was a very bubbly and very energetic. She had a very inquiring mind, was always a joy to be around and was very caring. The overriding thing that people say about Layla is that she’d do anything for anybody. She was a really nice person.
“We would be walking through town and she’d stop at every homeless person and give them her money. She wasn’t materialistic at all. As stunning and pretty as Layla was, she was a very simple girl.
Layla Owens was described as someone who could ‘light up a room'(Image: Supplied)
“She loved her role as a teacher. She didn’t know when to switch off. We would be constantly in B&M, buying stuff for the kids. She cared about them because she was a very young teacher herself.
“For some of her students, English wasn’t their first language, but of course, with her speaking the likes of Arabic and French, she broke down barriers.”
Her sister Jessica Owens, 26, added: “Wherever Layla was, she had this vibe that lit up the room. She would make friends with anyone and everyone with people from all over the world.
“A lot of the kids that they remember as she’d put the music on in the class every morning and start dancing. On Paddy’s Day she dressed up as a leprechaun. She loved traveling as well. She loved France and she lived there for a year. I think that was probably her happiest time for her.”
Layla was not afraid to go against the crowd either. Anne said: “She was a mad Evertonian and was a club member, even though we’re all Reds. We’d go to Goodison and she’d say “stand up for Z Cars”. She always wanted a Scouse pie at games.”
Layla was diagnosed with bipolar one when she was 21. The family feel this changed her as the years went by, although she remained a kind and caring person.
Jessica said: “I think it took a big knock on her self-esteem. She wouldn’t leave the house without make-up and wore black a lot – I think she did it to blend in.”
Anne added: “She put on a brave face would never bring the party down by looking glum or concerned for herself. It was never about Layla, it was always about others, so sometimes for me it was hard to gauge.
“Having bipolar one was really difficult for her. You can’t now talk about Layla and not talk about bipolar because it does stigmatise a person and a lot of doors were closed for her career wise.
Layla worked as a teacher for several years(Image: Supplied)
“When she left teaching in 2022, she went to work in a law firm in Manchester and they were very good and very flexible with her because the medication used to really have an effect on her.
“But they loved her as well. Every job that she worked in they would remember Layla. She would always bring something into the office like cakes or biscuits or make a display. She touched everybody’s lives and made them better, no matter where she worked.”
Layla died in January 2025 after taking her own life. Her family were comforted somewhat during this time due to the support they received from everyone who knew Layla. A GoFundMe to go towards the funeral costs raised over £10,000.
The funeral was attended by many people including neighbours, members of the Muslim community she worked with in teaching as well as old colleagues. There were also people who attended recovery groups with her and members of the Jewish community, as Layla was in the process of converting to Judaism.
Jessica: “My friend who set it up was phoning me every day and saying, have you seen how much this is raising? Some guy put £1,000 in.
“I said to everybody, thank you so much for contributing to this amazing funeral that we just wouldn’t have been able to give her, you’ve made it so much easier for us.
“Honestly, you’d be hard pushed to find somebody who didn’t like Layla. There was everyone in that funeral from all different walks of life.
“We made it a celebration of life because she was a celebration. She wasn’t a self-pitying person at all. She just didn’t deserve the end that she had. I thought she’d go on to amazing things and she did want to, and she studied so hard.”
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
- Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
- Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
- Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
- Paul’s Place – providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
- The Martin Gallier Project – offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
- James’ Place – supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/