Storyhouse Childless returns this September and has been expanded to run across a whole weekend

Tuesday, 13 June 2023 16:28

The annual event – this year taking place on Saturday, 23 September and Sunday, 24 September – is aimed at all those who are childless for whatever reason, including those who are childfree by choice.

Now in its third year the events give those involved the chance to explore living without children, to build 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 Lighthouse Women – the 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, Irish-based writer Nicole Louie, and meditation, writer, and life coach Bindi Shah.

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 adventures - no matter how big or small - to improve your physical and mental health.

There will also be panels on Finding a Community in Elderhood; Men, Childlessness and Creativity; The F Words – Friends and Family as well as Childlessness in the Workplace.

Among this year’s guest speakers are Jody Day, often called the ‘founder of the childless movement’ with Gateway Women; researcher and writer Dr Robin Hadley; Andy Harrod, co-founder of the Community of Childless Men; founder of World Childless Week, Steph Phillips; singer-songwriter Bransby; Ali Hall, blogger and the face behind the Childfree-by-Choice Twitter account; Kirstie Higgins, host of the Chester Lighthouse Women group, and Katy Schnitzler, founder and lead training consultant of MIST Workshops, which supports organisations working on pregnancy loss, infertility and childlessness.

The weekend also features Calm After the Storm – an immersive musical story of Involuntary Childlessness from Childless Voices, a performance from Singer/Songwriter Bransby in The Kitchen, and a live recording of the Full Stop Community Podcast.

Nicola Haigh, Storyhouse’s Community Manager, says: “One out of every five adults 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 connections, and share experiences.”

Storyhouse Childless is on Saturday, 23 September and Sunday, 24 September.

There are a number of funded tickets for people who would like to attend with a supportive friend.

More from Local News

Appeal to help locate missing man from Neston

Officers are appealing for help from the public in locating a missing man from Neston.
University of Chester student-run events raise £2,400 for charity

University of Chester students have raised £2,400 for charity after organising two fun-filled events in the city.
Jodrell Bank Presents: A Stitch in Space Time

Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement collaborates with the Royal Astronomical Society, celebrating the connections to the wonders of the cosmos through creativity and craft.
Appeal for information after dead dog found in duffle bag

A dead dog has been found in a duffle bag, by the side of a body of water near Blakemere Moss on the outskirts of Delamere Forest.
Chester and Wirral Football League - Weekend Round Up

Here's the latest results from the Chester and Wirral Football League...
POPULAR CHESTER BUSKER RETURNS TO TOWN HALL STAGE FOLLOWING CONCERT SUCCESS

A popular Chester busker who last year fulfilled a long-held dream of creating his own orchestra is set to return to the stage at the city's historic Town Hall.
Housing and Support Fayre Helps Chester North & Neston Residents Access Vital Services

Samantha Dixon, Member of Parliament for Chester North & Neston, welcomed local residents to the Housing and Support & Information Fayre on Thursday 3rd April.
Successful local hospital liver cancer screening service continues to expand

More people in West Cheshire and Ellesmere Port are finding out about the health of their liver earlier, thanks to the continued expansion of liver disease screening that’s being provided by the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
POPULAR CHESTER BAR CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY WITH SPECIAL LEGO MODEL

One of Chester's most popular bars has been immortalised in Lego as part of celebrations to mark its 25th anniversary.
Cheshire Digital Agency Fly High Media Shortlisted for European Search Award

Fly High Media, a digital marketing agency based in Cheshire, has been named a finalist in the 2025 European Search Awards.
Blues Match Report: Hereford 2 - 2 Chester FC

Video

Chester FC were forced to settle for a point after late heartbreak at Edgar Street.
Blues Match Preview: Hereford v Chester FC

Chester FC travel to Edgar Street on Saturday to face play-off challengers Hereford.
Ten arrested for drugs offences following warrants in Chester

Officers investigating the supply of illegal drugs in Chester have now charged 10 people following a series of warrants.
Ten arrested for drugs offences following warrants in Chester

Officers investigating the supply of illegal drugs in Chester have arrested 10 people following a series of warrants.
Suspended prison sentence and indefinite ban for Cheshire man who abused his dog

A man from Ellesmere Port who physically abused a French Bulldog, who died on the floor of his bathroom, has been given a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping animals indefinitely.
Recovered Stolen Items

North Wales Police has successfully recovered what are believed to be a number of stolen items.
Man charged in relation to courier fraud

Officers investigating a report of courier fraud in Cheshire have charged a man in relation to the incident.
Police to target criminal use of Cheshire’s roads

Cheshire Constabulary is supporting a national operation aimed at addressing the Fatal 5 and reducing criminality on the roads.
Appeal for help in tracing wanted Ellesmere Port man

Police are appealing for help in tracing a wanted man in Ellesmere Port.
Council awarded Gold Armed Forces Award

Flintshire County Council has successfully been re-awarded the Gold Award under the MOD's Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for its outstanding support to the Armed Forces community.