Now in its 10th year, the Northern Maternity & Midwifery Festival returns to Manchester on 8 July 2025 with a full day of personal development for maternity professionals, including CPD-accredited talks, networking, and inspiration. In this article we explore the local voices and national policy, that make this year’s festival a key opportunity to invest in your career.
Now in its milestone 10th year, the Northern Maternity & Midwifery Festival 2025 returns to Manchester’s Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 8 July, offering a full day of inspiration, learning and professional connection for everyone working in maternity care across Northern England and beyond.
While the Northern Festival is rooted in the needs and experiences of maternity professionals across Northern England, the whole programme is available to view via live stream and the universally relevant themes being discussed make it a vital UK-wide showcase for midwifery policy, practice, and innovation.
Designed for midwives, student midwives, health visitors, neonatal nurses, educators, researchers and allied healthcare professionals, the Festival is completely free to attend – both in-person and online – and provides up to 10 hours of CPD and revalidation content.
A timely gathering
With the NHS under renewed scrutiny and maternity services in the national spotlight, this year’s Festival couldn’t be more timely. A new government is promising long-term reform, and questions remain about how to deliver safer, more equitable and more supportive maternity care. Through a powerful mix of expert talks, practical workshops and honest conversations, the Festival explores how professionals at every level can lead and contribute to meaningful change.
Explore the 2025 Programme
Highlights of this year’s insightful agenda include:
Trauma-informed care with Dr Kathryn Gutteridge
Personalised care and support planning with Patience Gyampeh
Collaboration between midwives and doulas with Sallyann Beresford
A deep dive into genomics and health inequalities with Colette Scrace and Waheeda Abbas
Hands-on sessions such as “Knitting for Wellbeing” and “Writing for Publication”
Practical Meet the Expert sessions with the NMC, All4Maternity, and UKHSA
Dedicated education, innovation and research sessions throughout the afternoon
Midwifery history, bereavement support, immunisation in pregnancy, and much more
Plus, full access to the Festival on demand video box set will be provided to all registered delegates – ideal for flexible learning and reflection.
Outstanding Speakers
The 2025 speaker lineup brings together leading voices from across practice, policy, education, and lived experience, including:
Professor Mary Renfrew OBE
Colette Scrace, NHS England Genomics
Dr Alys Einion, University of Dundee
Emma Rose, Royal College of Midwives
Aisha Abdullahi, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Alison Fuller, Epilepsy Action
Paula Abramson, Bereavement Training International
And many more, view the programme here.
More than just a conference
The Festival isn’t just about formal presentations. With over 20 exhibitors, wellbeing activities, networking areas, competitions, and the chance to nominate a colleague for the Trailblazer Awards, it’s an energising space to reconnect with your purpose, recharge your motivation, and explore new professional possibilities.
Whether you’re an experienced practitioner, an academic, or just starting your training, this is an event where you’ll leave informed, inspired and empowered.
What do past delegates have to say?
Informative and inspiring but in a relaxed and friendly environment which makes it easier to learn.
A great networking day, makes you feel positive about going to work
Programme content was extensive and box set will aid in further learning opportunities.
Really insightful and a great variety of exhibitors.
Fantastic opportunity to refresh, review, and reconnect with old colleagues and friends.
Great to be face to face, and good to network, with some good speakers and discussions.
This year’s event was as informative as ever but with a diverse range of seminars and research. The best yet!
Really varied seminars, organised well, ran smoothly and was easy to navigate online.
Simply the BEST🙂..Inspiring, educational and so lovely to have something just for us! As midwives we give so much..it was like a professional Spa Day🙂
Register Now
Secure your free in-person or online place here.
Free parking available
Why not see who else is coming from your Trust or university and car share?
Nominate a Trailblazer
Shine a spotlight on a colleague who’s made a real difference. Learn more about the Trailblazer Awards here. DEADLINE: Friday 20 June.
Join us on 8 July at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium and be part of shaping the future of maternity care, we look forward to seeing you.
