Inaugural women's health event held in Ipswich 'is going to change lives'

Why it matters: Hundreds of people attended 'Let's Talk Women's Health' at The Hold on Saturday, 22 March, where expert-led sessions covered crucial topics including menopause, breast cancer, endometriosis and mental wellbeing.

The big picture: Organisers Jen Evans and Katie Winearls created the event to provide reliable information and resources to help people advocate for themselves within the healthcare system.

What they're saying: "This event is quite literally going to change lives," said Amy Peckham-Driver, who delivered a session on endometriosis. "Over the course of the day, I spoke to so many women who said they were going to book medical appointments, make lifestyle changes, or pursue new treatment options."

"We might not be able to change the whole healthcare system with one event, but what we have done is given people the tools to advocate for themselves and the resources to ensure they get the care they need," said Mrs Evans.

Mrs Winearls added: "Unfortunately, many of the issues surrounding women's health are systemic, meaning that in order to see long-lasting large-scale change, there is a desperate need for changes in policies, research funding, and legislation. We hope that by encouraging open conversations and providing reliable education, these changes can be made at a local level."

Author and documentary filmmaker Kate Muir, who delivered the opening keynote speech, said: "It's so nice to see these events happening outside of London and outside bigger cities. It's refreshing to see it happening in person, because we can hear first-hand about what they're struggling with."

Behind the scenes: The event featured talks from experts and interactive workshops alongside stalls from organisations including Women's Health Hope, Cancer Support Suffolk, Suffolk Pride, and Lighthouse Women's Aid.

What's next: The team hopes to host another event in spring 2026, with plans to cover additional topics such as period poverty, pregnancy, and ovarian cancer.

The bottom line: While described as a "huge success" and a "major step forward for women's healthcare," organisers emphasise that the fight for women's healthcare is far from over.