Festival of Women

Isolation, Health and Women Over 50

Health Theme

Teri Stephenson

Isolation can have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing – yet it is often hidden, particularly for women over 50. In this interactive workshop, Teri Stephenson, Chief Executive of Age UK Lancashire, will explore the realities of isolation through statistics, real-life customer stories and practical insight from frontline services. 

Together, we’ll consider the unique challenges women face, the impact on both physical and mental health, and the opportunities for services and communities to respond more effectively. This session is designed to  be collaborative, creating space for shared experiences, discussion and the development of ideas, solutions and actions can make a real difference.

EmilyTest: a Gender-Based Violence Charter for Colleges and Universities

Safety Theme

Fiona Drouet MBE

In this powerful and thought-provoking session, Fiona Drouet MBE will share the devastating story of her daughter Emily and the sustained abuse by a fellow student that led to her suicide.

Fiona will explore the creation and impact of EmilyTest, outlining how the charity is working with colleges and universities across the UK to prevent gender-based violence and improve support for students.

The session will highlight the development of the Gender-Based Violence Charter and the role institutions, professionals and communities can play in driving change. Delegates will gain insight into how they can contribute to this growing national effort focused on prevention, intervention and support.

Fawziyah’s legacy: turning tragedy into action against honour-based abuse 

Safety Theme

Yasmin Javed

In this powerful and reflective session, Yasmin Javed shares the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of her daughter Fawziyah, whose story gained national attention through the Channel 4 documentary The Push. 

Drawing on the lessons from Fawziyah’s case, Yasmin will highlight the campaign to strengthen and amend the law in her daughter’s memory, whilst raising awareness of coercive control and the often-overlooked issue of honour-based abuse. The session will explore how individuals, professionals and communities can better protect women through increased awareness, early intervention and collective action – and the role every one of us can play in preventing similar tragedies. 

What Do Women Want? Building a Health and Care System that works for Women

Health Theme

Andy Knox MBE

Professor Andy Knox MBE is Co-Medical Director of NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, Partner at Ash Trees Surgery in Carnforth and Honorary Professor at Lancaster University Management School. He co-founded the LSC Population Health Leadership Academy, is a Population Health Associate at the King’s Fund and recently published his first book Sick Society. He was awarded an MBE for services to Primary Care and Health Inequalities.

In this participative and inclusive session, Andy will co-host a conversation with Siobhan Collingwood, CEO of Lancashire Women, exploring how we can better shape health services for the future and improve outcomes for women. Come along and help design something altogether better.

Understanding Economic Need Among Women in Lancashire: The Impact of the Cost of Living Crisis

Wealth Theme

Tracy Hopkins

Tracy Hopkins is CEO of Citizens Advice Blackpool, bringing over 23 years of leadership experience across the VCFSE sector. A passionate advocate for social justice, Tracy is also an NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellow researching health inequalities in Blackpool, Chair of the VCFSE Alliance across Lancashire & South Cumbria and Non-Executive Director at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

In this session, Tracy will explore how the cost of living crisis continues to affect women across Lancashire. Drawing on data and real-life client stories to examine rising debt, housing pressures and financial vulnerability, and considering how organisations can work together to build financial resilience within our communities.

Hormones, Health And Ageing Well: What Every Woman Needs To Know

Health Theme

Dr Ewa Craven

Dr Ewa Craven is an NHS GP of over 20 years and the first British Menopause Society accredited Menopause Specialist and BMS Trainer in Lancashire. Founder of Dr Craven Women’s Health and former Clinical Lead for Women’s Health at Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, she has represented the region as a Women’s Health Ambassador on both the national forum and in Parliamentary groups.

Hormonal changes from puberty onwards have a profound, yet often underestimated, impact on women’s health and ageing. In the UK, women are living longer but spending more years in poor health, with women in the most deprived areas experiencing over 20 fewer years of good health than those in the least deprived communities.

In this session, Dr Craven explores how understanding hormonal health earlier – and ensuring everyone has access to reliable information regardless of background – can help women live healthier for longer.