Women and families are being invited to share their experiences to help shape the future of local maternity services at a community event hosted by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
The event will bring together local women, families and members of the community with the Trust’s Chief Executive, Diane Wake, for an open conversation about maternity services.
Taking place in Lozells, Birmingham on Wednesday 9 September, the session is an opportunity for people to talk directly to the Trust about their experiences of maternity care, including what worked well, where care could have been better and what matters most to women and their families.
Pregnancy, birth and the period after having a baby can be among the most significant and emotional times in a family’s life. Experiences of maternity care can stay with women and their families for many years, which is why listening carefully to their voices is an important part of improving services.
People attending will be able to share their experiences in their own words and raise the issues that are important to them. The Trust will also talk about the work already undertaken to improve maternity services and will ask local people for their views about what more needs to be done.
Diane Wake, Chief Executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said:
“Every woman and family who comes through our maternity services has their own experience and their own story. Some will have very positive memories of their care, while for others their experience may have been difficult, upsetting or not what they had hoped it would be. We need to be prepared to hear all of these experiences and to listen with care and respect.
“I know that sharing a personal experience of pregnancy or birth is not always easy. I am extremely grateful to anyone who is willing to come and talk to us, particularly where their experience has been a difficult one.
“We will also share the work we have already begun to undertake to improve our maternity services, but we know improvement cannot simply be something we do on our own. The voices and experiences of women and families must be part of how we shape our services.
“I would really encourage people to come along and speak to us. We want to build an open and honest relationship with our communities and work together to provide maternity care in which women and their families can have confidence.”
The event will take place at 10.30am on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at Aspire & Succeed, 3 Carpenters Road, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 2BA.
Women and families with experience of maternity services, as well as members of the local community with an interest in maternity care, are encouraged to come along, share their views and help shape the future of local services.