Birth Stories and Visions for Change - exciting plans for 2026

We have been fortunate to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to enable the provision of a number of creative workshops, (both in person and online), to take place during 2026. We will also be curating a multi media exhibition of art pieces and creative writing, plus recordings of aspects of birth stories which will be held in Glastonbury. The exhibition will showcase the contributions made by those attending the workshops. It will therefore be a community driven project. This is at the heart of the Birth Stories project - to provide a space and platform to enable stories to be witnessed in a safe and honouring way.

Stories can remain anonymous or named, the key is to bring them together creatively in the workshops and support the processes of sharing them.

We shared a brief initial blog post about our Birth Stories project back in September which you can read here.

In this post, we delve into the possibilities of using storytelling as an advocacy tool, as well as a potent method for facilitating healing. Whilst also positing the question as to how can birth stories become visions for change.

What's in a story?

The process of sharing one's stories can support healing changes, both within oneself and also for the collective. Birth stories can arise from both those who have given birth but also within others who have supported a birth or been involved with a birth in some way.

Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here.” (Sue Monk Kidd, author).

Stories are important for so many different reasons. For example, they can reduce isolation and provide a sense of connection and empathy between people. They help us to make sense of a chaotic world by making information both memorable and relatable.

Every story matters…We are all worthy of telling our stories and having them heard. We all need to be seen and honoured in the same way that we all need to breathe. (Viola Davis).

Bringing light to a story, especially one we have not previously shared, can transform and improve lives

I know that many people would find the sharing of their or another's birth story emotive and tricky. Where to start? There could be a number of reasons why the very notion of talking, writing down or creatively expressing an aspect of a birth story could cause anxiety and a range of challenging feelings. For some it may just not feel right. As with other situations in life, opening up about an experience or bringing an aspect of one's journey out into the open has to feel right. It can be supportive to just know there is the option and space available to safely share if and when the time is right to do so.

It is also true that perhaps just certain feelings connected to a birth story, or certain parts of the story feel right to be shared.

Some of the benefits of sharing birth stories and talking about birth in ways that feel right for those concerned, include:

• Reducing birth anxiety: Discussing a wide range of birth experiences helps increase awareness and knowledge. Expectant parents can feel better prepared and informed about the diverse types of births, the emotions that may surface during the process, and the understanding that each birth story is unique. There is no 'ideal' birth, as each person experiences different feelings and needs.

• Supporting self-advocacy during pregnancy and birth: Birth stories often highlight the importance of self-advocacy in making decisions and expressing preferences. This awareness can empower others to understand their options, ask questions, and participate more confidently in their own care plans.

• Reducing stigma around birth: In Western culture, birth can be surrounded by secrecy or isolation. This often leads to a lack of public awareness about issues like recovery, postpartum mood changes or birth trauma. Through the sharing of personal stories, (some of which will include such aspects), the silence shifts and the effects of such open dialogue can encourage others to seek help without fear or shame.

  
  

• Improvements in maternity care: The increase in raising awareness and hearing the collective narratives around birth experiences highlights patterns in care, both the strengths and weaknesses. This is important for identifying inequalities in maternal healthcare and for advocating for systemic changes, which can provide better outcomes for future parents. 

Sharing these stories also creates a supportive community where individuals feel heard and validated while also contributing towards important discussions about maternal health awareness and system reforms.

What are we aiming for?

Our Birth Stories project has the following key aims:

• Enable the participation for a wide range of people in creative workshops to share birth stories, or aspects of birth stories. Both for healing and for giving a voice to birthing people.

• Continue collecting stories online or in person to share with others through the dedicated page on our website.

• To advocate for improved maternity care and for the wellbeing of those giving birth (collecting stories helps to inform us what changes could be needed to help better safeguard women and birthing people).

• To hold a unique exhibition in 2026 with art pieces, spoken word recordings and creative writing all linked to different birth stories.

"Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom" (Hariette Hartigan).

Sharing birth stories in creative workshops

The first art workshop takes place on the 23rd January at the Sacred Birth Centre, in Glastonbury. There will be three further workshops taking place during the Spring. We hope that in these workshops, those taking part will share what they need to in those moments about a birth story, in order to meet their needs and feel safely held. It could be that you feel moved to share a birth story you were involved in, rather than your own or you might just wish to share a certain part of the story of your own.

The workshop space will be a doorway for some perhaps who have not shared their birth story before and for those who may not usually choose to use a creative medium to express an aspect of their life. All are welcome. There is no judgement here. There will be choices as to what creative process to use, so if painting does not feel right, then drawing or sewing might.

Although these sessions will not be art therapy, there are often therapeutic processes involved in creating art of all types. We have two experienced facilitators - Sarah Slaughter (artist) and Samsara Tanner (doula mentor) who will hold space and enable the sharing of birth stories. To find out more about them and also about the first workshop and to book a place, please follow the link here.

The workshops will be around half a day in length. There will also be workshops in Shepton Mallet, Wells and a second session has been arranged for Glastonbury too. Please follow us on our Social Media pages for updates on the dates and how to book your spaces.

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Or you can call upon the power of creative words to carry your story

into the world

If words and writing is a way you like to share and connect, you may be interested to know that we have a two part workshop online with Ann Diment (poet and facilitator) and Hilary Campbell (writer and one of the Event and Partnerships Coordinators at the Sacred Birth Centre). The first part will be on the 21st February. Find out more and book your spot here

Share your birth story in other ways

We are always here to receive your birth story by email, or on Zoom, perhaps in person too. We have had submissions of art work too. So if you are not able to attend an in person or online workshop, please know that you can share your story, however briefly or however long with us. Please reach out and find out more and let us know how we can help enable this to happen for you.

You may wish to remain anonymous or you may wish to include your details with your story, you also have the option of having your story included on our dedicated web page for others to read or listen to it.

Follow the link here to discover some of the birth stories that have already been shared with us - to share with you.

We look forward to supporting the sharing of birth stories in their many different forms and ways of being in the months ahead. We also look forward to the ongoing development of the project and exhibition.

Let us know in the comments how you feel about sharing birth stories.

All good wishes for 2026!

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