In 2021-22 mothers in Cheshire and Merseyside were invited to share their experiences in video interviews and participate in workshops and a photo shoot. Across audio, video, animation and stills, the mothers discuss breastfeeding in all its complexity, calling into question the barriers that still mean many women who want to breastfeed, stop before they are ready.
The aims of this project are to create positive imagery around breastfeeding, whilst also encouraging the viewers to consider the individual circumstances of each mother, with each portrait accompanied by documentary style VLOGs and podcast highlighting the challenges they faced.
NOV 2022 – SEPT 23
Audio Tour
Using QR codes and Echoes APP, portraits from the series form a walking tour, with new stories in each location. This innovative tour brings the walker to many venues offering free/low cost activities and facilities for families.
2023-26
Foundation Hospitals Tour
Portraits from the Holding Time Project in Cheshire and Merseyside will be on tour across the Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust sites starting with the New Royal on the 10th floor.
OCT 2022
Maternal Wellbeing Afternoon
An afternoon of music, talks and story time with a marketplace of local services, conversation with the peer support lead, singing and writing workshops with Rachel New and Singing Mamas.
SEPT 2022
Open Eye Exhibition
A breastfeeding friendly installation of still images, animation and projection, featuring interviews with mothers at Open Eye Gallery, Mann Island
AUG 2022
Video Interviews
Video Releases
A daily video interview release of interviews with mothers from the Cheshire & Merseyside project, marking World Breastfeeding Week 2022
AUG 2022
Portrait Sessions
Eighteen mothers sat with their children and infants for a portrait session with lead artist Lisa Creagh at Cetra Studios, Birkenhead. The resulting portraits were used as animations, social media posts and posters for the Audio Tour.
NOV 2021
BBC Radio Merseyside
Readings and interviews with mothers from the Cheshire and Merseyside project on the BBC Radio Merseyside on Friday 19th November
NOV 2021
Motherstalk Event
An afternoon of stories, testimonies and poetry with word gathering activities and live performance by local performance poet Plazzybag.
SEPT – NOV 2021
Atrium Screens
Images from the Holding Time project Brighton/Coventry were shown as part of the digital programme on atrium screens at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool
SEPT 2021- 2022
Writing Workshops
Three seasons of writing workshops in partnership with Creative Lives writer Rachel New. Mothers worked in groups over a period of one to six weeks to produce original writing together.
SEPT 2022 – MAY 2023
Evaluation
Dr Clare Maxwell of Liverpool John Moores University evaluates the Holding Time Project in Cheshire and Merseyside to measure benefits to participating mothers and the wider community.
