It was an exhilarating and productive day as the Lost Mothers Team, Birth Companions, and Lived Experience members gathered for our second face-to-face workshop in the heart of London. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lankelly Chase https://lankellychase.org.uk/ for providing us with a wonderful space for this important gathering. In this blog post, we share some highlights of the day and express our gratitude to everyone involved.
The workshop gave us the rare opportunity to meet face-to-face in London, fostering a sense of connection and unity among the team members. The warm atmosphere was further enhanced by the lovely lunch we shared together, which allowed us to bond in true Birth Companions and Lost Mothers fashion over food! Additionally, we had the pleasure of distributing some special goodies to the team, including a copy of the thought-provoking “Mothering Justice” book for each member, as well as a beautiful journal and pens to encourage journaling and writing.
The Birth Charter Launch:
One of the highlights of the day was attending the highly anticipated launch of the new Birth Charter for women with involvement from children’s social care The Birth Charter for women with involvement from children’s social care | Birth Companions. The event featured an impressive line-up of speakers who offered valuable insights and perspectives on the importance of supporting women during the childbirth process. Among the notable speakers were Andrew Powell, a Family Law Barrister from 4PB, Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, HHJ Madeleine Reardon, a Family Court Judge, Rachel Drain, Quality and Standards Advisor from the Royal College of Midwives, as well as members of the Birth Companions Lived Experience Team. We were also privileged to hear from Kirsty Kitchen, Head of Policy & Communications, and Naomi Delap, Director, both from Birth Companions. It was an especially proud moment for the Lost Mothers team to hear members with lived experience speak so poignantly about their own experiences of separation and the importance of the new Birth Charter.
After the inspiring speeches, we continued the celebrations, with a breath-taking view of St Paul’s Cathedral. We indulged in drinks and canapés, enjoying the chance to unwind and reflect on the meaningful conversations and connections made throughout the day. It was an occasion that further reinforced our shared commitment to supporting mothers and improving their experiences.
