Hosted by practising NHS midwife, activist and bestselling author Leah Hazard, this event sits alongside The Labour of Care exhibition.

Join us for a thoughtful panel discussion exploring the realities, pressures and possibilities of midwifery today. Hosted by practising NHS midwife, activist and bestselling author Leah Hazard, this event sits alongside The Labour of Care, an exhibition shaped by the lived experiences of midwives and maternity care providers themselves, exploring care, labour and emotional resilience in maternity services.

This will be a chance to hear from people working in maternity care, share honest experiences, and talk about what the job feels like day to day - the care, the pressure, the skill, the emotional weight, the challenges and the moments that matter.

The conversation will also look at how creative spaces like this can offer time to pause,connect with others and think collectively about what support, care and wellbeing could look like for midwives and maternity care providers.

Who is it for?

This event is open to midwives, maternity care providers, students, healthcare workers, artists, researchers and anyone with an interest in maternity care, women’s health, creative wellbeing or lived experience-led conversations.

📅 Saturday 24 October 2026

⏰ 2:00pm – 4:00pm

📍the Whitworth

🎟️ Book your tickets now

If you require BSL interpretation, please notify us by emailing whitworth.events@manchester.ac.uk 01/10/27

About the venue

The Whitworth is an accessible venue with facilities to support you during your visit, and alongside this our visitor team will be on hand to assist you in the gallery. Find out more about planning your visit to the Whitworth and accessibility information for you. If you’d like to speak to a team member about any access or additional needs, please get in touch with the gallery and we will be happy to assist you. Contact: whitworth@manchester.ac.uk or telephone: 0161 275 7450.

The Whitworth

The Whitworth art gallery and gardens is driven by a mission to work with communities to use art for positive social change, and actively addresses what matters most in people’s lives. We are proudly part of The University of Manchester, operating as a convening space between the University and the people of the city.

Our exhibitions and events are free and open to everyone. If you’re able to, you can now add an optional donation when booking your ticket through Eventbrite. Every contribution, big or small, helps us continue to provide free access to art, creativity and culture for our community. Thank you for your support.

Description supplied by the event organiser.