THE Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) is delighted to invite local Black-owned businesses, community leaders, and residents to a free community listening event on 24 January 2026, 1-5pm at Passmores Academy, Harlow (CM18 6JH) – to hear directly from Black women, people, and families who have used maternity and neonatal services at Princess Alexandra Hospital over the past five years.

Service users’ voices are central to improving NHS maternity and neonatal care. Our event offers a welcoming space for families to share their experiences, connect with others, and help shape the future of care locally.

In 2025, Baroness Valerie Amos published an interim report into NHS maternity and neonatal services across England. Her reflections, based on listening to more than 170 families so far, highlight unacceptable care experiences in some parts of the NHS, including women who felt unheard, not given clear information, or treated without empathy.

Reports also show discrimination against women of colour and other marginalised groups is a consistent theme in the evidence she has gathered. 

These findings echo independent national evidence that racial inequalities persist in maternity outcomes and care experiences, with Black women and babies facing significantly worse outcomes compared with white counterparts. 

The MNVP is independent, grounded in lived experience, and committed to anti-racist engagement and improvement. We work with Princess Alexandra Hospital and health partners to use real feedback from recent service users to influence change, promote compassionate, equitable care and ensure every voice is heard.

At the “Tell Your Story” event, attendees can:

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Meet other parents and community members

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Enjoy free food and a fun kids’ entertainer

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Share personal maternity and neonatal care experiences

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Speak one-to-one at our listening stand (2–4pm)●

Meet the Director of Midwifery and senior maternity representatives

Local Black-owned businesses are encouraged to attend, support, and help spread the word, especially those connected to families who have experienced care at Princess Alexandra Hospital in recent years.

“We know that change doesn’t happen without listening,” says Chloe Ribeiro.

“This event is about collecting stories, valuing them, learning from them, and ensuring decision makers truly understand what families have felt, needed, and experienced.

”This event is part of a wider commitment to centre the experiences of the Black community and other groups who have historically been under-represented in feedback processes and whose voices are essential to safer, fairer, anti-racist maternity and neonatal care.

Free entry. Everyone welcome.

For more information, contact: Chloe Ribeiro, [email protected]

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