The NHS Improving Me Women’s Health and Maternity Partnership in Cheshire and Merseyside held its annual Baby Week from 13th to 19th November, alongside Baby Week events in Bradford and Leeds. The theme for 2023 in Cheshire and Merseyside was Hear Me Roar, providing a platform for women to voice their own health concerns and experiences and extending the partnership’s commitment to improving the visibility and prioritisation of women’s health in NHS policy and professional practice.
Baby Week is primarily designed to bring sectors and services together to promote the best start in life for infants and young families. The team in Cheshire and Merseyside also uses the event as an opportunity to highlight and discuss women’s health throughout the life course, with events and activities in the 2023 programme for example focused on the menopause and women’s health and wellbeing as members of the NHS workforce.
Kerry Wilson was honoured to be invited to join a discussion on women’s experiences of dementia during Baby Week on Liverpool Live Radio, alongside Jo Ward, Strategic Consultant at Improving Me and Carol Rogers MBE, Director of House of Memories at National Museums Liverpool. Our research on the pilot family carers version of the House of Memories dementia awareness programme in 2017 showed that 91% of surveyed participants were women, with 42% aged 50-59 and 47% caring for a parent with dementia. This is a time in women’s lives where many are still working, have continuing care responsibilities for older children and will be experiencing symptoms of the menopause. The physical and emotional impact of these combined experiences will be considerable for many women, which is why cultural assets like House of Memories are vital in providing community-based help and support.
Thank you to Jo and the Improving Me team for their leadership in advocating women’s creative health across the region. Click here for more information on the national charity organisation behind Baby Week and other regional events.