Storyhouse Childless returns this September, and for 2023 it has been expanded to run across a whole weekend.
The annual event – this year taking place on Saturday, 23 September and Sunday, 24 September – is aimed at both women and men who are either childless due to circumstance, such as infertility or health conditions, or childfree from choice.
It gives those involved the chance to explore living without children, to build a community, share stories, make connections and raise awareness.
Storyhouse Childless 2023 will feature a series of talks, panel discussions, performances and a live podcast.
The weekend opens with a welcome and introduction from Dr Dawn Llewellyn, Associate Professor in Religion and Gender at the University of Chester, who worked with Storyhouse and the city’s branch of Gateway Women – a global friendship and support network for childless women – to first bring the event to Hunter Street in 2019.
It will be followed by a talk titled Pursuing Purpose: a life without children is not a life without meaning, involving Caroline Stafford, founder and owner of innovative bakery the Kitsch Hen, The Hollow Sea author Annie Kirby, Ireland-based writer Nicole Louie and meditation, writer and life coach Bindi Sha.
This year’s keynote speaker is award-winning author, arts producer and adventure activist Jessica Hepburn who will talk about The Power of Adventure to Change Your Life for the Better.
Jessica is one of the UK’s leading voices on fertility and family as well as endurance sport and has become a pioneer in inspiring people to live big and bravely when life doesn’t go to plan, championing the benefits of going on adventures to improve your physical and mental health.
There will also be talks about Finding a Community in Elderhood; Men, Childlessness and Creativity; The F Words – Friends and Family and how we can help them understand and support a childless life, and Childlessness in the Workplace.
Among this year’s guest speakers are Jody Day, founder of the Childless Movement with Gateway Women; researcher and writer Robin Hadley; Andy Harrod, co-founder of the Community of Childless Men; founder of World Childless Week Steph Phillips; singer-songwriter Bransby; Ali Hall, founder of the Abnormally Normal blog; Kirstie Higgins, host of the Chester Lighthouse Women group, and Bridie and David Llewellyn who are parents of a childless community member.
The weekend also features Calm After the Storm – a performance by Our Healing Voices, a free set from Bransby in The Kitchen, and a live event with the Full Stop Podcast community.
Suzie Henderson, Storyhouse’s Creative Director, says:
One out of every five people remains childless, and research suggests of those, 60% feel uncomfortable discussing that they need more support.
This is why programmes like Storyhouse Childless are so important, and why Storyhouse is pleased and proud to be able to present the annual event, now in its third year.
For 2023 we have drawn together a brilliant line-up of guest speakers and experts to talk about a wide range of issues and experiences around being childless and how that affects people, whether that be in terms of family, work or just in living their everyday lives.
I know anyone who is thinking of attending will find it a rewarding weekend in the company of others – a chance to talk, make new friendships and share experiences.
Storyhouse Childless is on Saturday, 23 September and Sunday, 24 September.
A weekend pass is £20 while tickets are also available for individual sessions, costing £5. There is also a 2-4-1 offer for people who would like to attend with a supportive friend.
Find out more here.
For more information or interviews, contact:
Nancy Davies
Marketing and PR Manager
Storyhouse
07886 743531