Still Care Project
Still Care is a new strand of work that compliments the multi-award-winning Still Parents programme – this time working with midwives and health care professionals who care for bereaved parents.
Through our Still Parents Project, we’ve helped tell the story of baby loss and raise awareness of what’s still considered a taboo subject. We would now like to tell the other side of the story too, allowing midwives the opportunity to share their experiences and highlight the challenges they face.
Our Still Care Project provides supportive care for midwives and contributes towards the educational needs of student midwives to ensure they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to support bereaved parents. By supporting those who care for bereaved parents, we hope to make optimal care more certain for grieving parents, contributing to positive social change and better outcomes for all.
The Whitworth’s close proximity to the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre and Manchester’s largest maternity centre means this work is well placed. And, thanks to funding from the Rayne Foundation and Sands charity, as well as our partnership with bereavement midwives and counsellors, Manchester Sands, Tommy’s research staff and University lecturers, we’ve ensured this next phase of our work is well supported.
Still Care Workshops
Free – booking essential
A series of free creative workshops supporting midwives and other maternity healthcare professionals.
A warm, welcoming space to create, reflect, and take time for yourself—surrounded by others who understand.
No art experience necessary.
Work created can be used as part of NMC revalidation.
A free nourishing lunch plus tea, coffee and cake are included in every workshop.
Sunday 2 November 2025
Clay Life Modelling
12:30–4pm
A relaxed, beginner-friendly clay workshop where you will be gently guided step by step. Work with clay and a life model to explore the female form in a supportive space. A chance to slow down and see the bodies you care for every day in a new, creative way.
Book your free place here
Sunday 7 December 2025
Pockets of Kindness – with Lizzie McLoughlin
12:30–4pm
A hands-on, practical workshop with Manchester-based artist and infant feeding specialist Lizzie McLoughlin. Using uniform pockets, participants will work with familiar medical and maternity items such as hand-over sheets, tape measures, scissors and suture thread to create pocket-sized, bound guides filled with personal messages of kindness.
These guides are designed to slip into a uniform pocket, offering small reminders of compassion and care in everyday practice. Through collage, stitching and paint, the workshop invites participants to explore self-compassion and reflect on the truth that behind every uniform is a human being with feelings, emotions, and the need for care too.
Book your free place here
Upcoming workshop dates
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Sunday 25 January 2026 - Still Care Day RetreatMore info coming soon…
For more information and updates about workshops follow us on Instagram @WhitworthStillParents
For any questions about the project, email lucy.turner@manchester.ac.uk. Follow @whitworthstillparents on Instagram.
Image: Still Parents workshop, courtesy of the Still Parents project group.