Open Eye Gallery,
Friday November 19th 2021
Open Eye Gallery Liverpool 
Studio Portraits 
Local breastfeeding mothers 
Shared with participants 
Displayed in local hospitals 
Interviews about personal experiences 
Writing Workshops with Rachel New 
Distributed in partnership with local BBC radio 
Shared on social media 
My Breastfeeding Buddy social media campaign
WHAM the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Women and Children’s Partnership are supporting the Holding Time Project launch at Open Eye Gallery during Babyweek, an annual celebration of innovation in perinatal healthcare organised by WHAM.
Holding Time is both a celebration of breastfeeding and an exploration of the challenges mothers experience in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding. These issues may be physical, mental, environmental or cultural barriers. Working collaboratively with local mothers, the project will celebrate the diversity of breastfeeding in Cheshire and Merseyside whilst overturning stereotypes, challenging assumptions and encouraging greater understanding and awareness in the whole community about the value of breastfeeding and its benefits.
Featured in the launch:
1. An introduction by Catherine McClennan , the Director of WHAM who will share why WHAM believe art and health collaborations are so important for meaningful and permanent change.
2. Live readings of Motherspeak writing by Rosalind Brown and Amy Wilde, participants based in Coventry participated in the Holding Time Project in 2021
For previous examples listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09g27bg
3. A presentation by Lisa Creagh about the aims of the project in Cheshire and Merseyside
4. Video interviews with local mothers about their personal breastfeeding experiences. For examples see http://www.youtube.com/c/holdingtime
This project is part of an NHS led conversation about the value of creative health interventions for women and children as a driver of health, wellbeing and resilience.
Drinks and light refreshments will be available, all parents and children welcome!
The launch is part of Baby Week, an annual event bringing together cross-sector organisations, families and caregivers to promote women’s health and the importance of giving babies the best possible start in life.
Babyweek Cheshire and Merseyside
Monday 15th November
Women’s Health and Maternity (WHAM) Launch 10.00-11.30am
The Birth Rites virtual tour led by BRC curator and founder, Helen Knowles, 11.00am-12.30pm
A celebration of Maternity Support Workers 1.00pm- 2.30pm
Tuesday 16th November
Maternity Action specialist advice session 10.30am-12.00 noon
Ready Steady Flow: Can reading and writing really save your life? 12.00 noon- 2.00pm
Wednesday 17th November
The price is our rights? 10.30am-12.00 noon
Systems in Crisis? 2.00-3.30pm
The Lullaby Project: Magic Happens 4.00 – 5.30pm
Thursday 18th November
Why Women Drink 10.00-11.30am
‘Birth Times’ and ‘Inutero’: Documentary Screenings
Friday 19th November
Everyday Sexism- in the NHS
Smoking in Pregnancy webinar 10-11.30am
The Holding Time Launch 2-5pm
