Leading voices in maternity care join Brighton students for midwifery conference exploring compassionate care and community

Organised by the Brighton Students Unions' Midwifery Society, the student-led event – Beneath the Surface: Facing Trauma, Finding Hope and Fuelling Joy – welcomed current students, alumni, prospective applicants, faculty members, and midwives from local trusts to the university’s Falmer campus on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

Designed to foster open discussion, professional collaboration and deeper understanding of key issues in maternity care, the conference featured a diverse programme of expert speakers and interactive sessions. Topics included birth trauma, pregnancy loss, perinatal mental health, neurodiversity, and midwifery wellbeing. 

Left to right: Paloma Hanlon, Sarah Weeden, Tig De Silva, Zoe Coe, Chloe Belbin

Left to right: Chloe Belbin, Paloma Hanlon, Sheena Byrom, Sarah Weeden, Zoe Coe and Tig De Silva

Speakers included:

• Sheena Byrom OBE – Renowned midwife and advocate for respectful, humanised childbirth.

• Bex Gunn and Laura Buckingham – Founders of The Worst Girl Gang Ever, sharing experiences of pregnancy loss and community healing.

• Alexis Strickland and Gemma Stapleton – Birth trauma therapists, presenting approaches to trauma-informed care.

• Ella Jackson – Infant Feeding Specialist Midwife, discussing maternity support for neurodivergent people.

• Marcus Green – CEO of Action on Pre-eclampsia, offering insight into research and policy in maternal health.

• Katie Christie – Consultant Midwife and PMA, speaking on evidence-based, personalised birth planning.

The conference offered students a unique opportunity to engage directly with leading voices in maternity care, gaining insights that extend beyond the classroom. By participating in discussions on current challenges and innovations, students were able to deepen their understanding of real-world practice while building meaningful connections with professionals, peers, and potential mentors.

For many, it served as a chance to explore different career paths, strengthen their confidence, and feel more prepared for life as qualified midwives.

Abby Redman, first-year BSc(Hons) Midwifery student and attendee, commented: “As someone just starting out in my training, it was inspiring to hear real stories and practical advice from both professionals and those with lived experience. The event reminded me why I chose this path – to support families with empathy, courage and joy, even in difficult times.”

The event also served a vital fundraising role, raising money for PANDAS Foundation UK – a charity supporting individuals affected by perinatal mental illness through peer-led services and advocacy.

Sarah Weeden, second-year BSc(Hons) Midwifery student and one of the event organisers, said: “It has been an incredible privilege to help organise this year’s conference. As student midwives, we’re constantly reminded of the weight and beauty of this profession – and this event was a powerful reflection of that. The conference brought together voices that speak honestly about trauma, offer hope through lived experience, and remind us why we chose this path.

“Midwifery isn’t just a career; it’s a calling grounded in compassion, resilience, and strength. This space allowed us to learn from extraordinary speakers and connect through the often-unspoken experiences that shape our work and lives. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve created and hope everyone leaves feeling seen, inspired, and reconnected with the joy that drives our care. A special thank you must go to Michelle Tant, Senior Midwifery Lecturer, and Alison Curry from the Learning and Teaching Hub, whose invaluable support made this event possible.” 

The conference was held at the university's Falmer campus and was open to midwifery students from all three years, alongside alumni and NHS partners who contribute to student placements. The event was entirely student-run, with second-year students taking responsibility for speaker outreach, sponsorship, logistics, catering, and fundraising.

The university is hosting Open Days at its Falmer campus on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June, from 10am to 4pm. Prospective students can tour the campus, meet staff and current students, and learn about courses and student life.

If you can't make it to our June open day, you can take a tour of our campuses in July.