Facilitating change on the front line

‘The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do’ (Siltanen, 2011). Witnessing human nature at its very best can inspire and uplift you. It rivets your attention, warms your heart and draws you in. Feeling inspired not only feels good but creates the urge to do your best and pulls you out of your shell of self-absorption (Fredrickson, 2013).

A great deal of support and enthusiasm is being built around the Deaf Nest Project, a vision of maternity services where every deaf parent has full access to services, an excellent childbirth and pregnancy experience and the information to make informed choices. The Deaf Nest Project aims to improve deaf users' equality of access, choice and control over maternity care with a strong collaboration being demonstrated by supporting national and local charities, midwives and other health professionals. The evidence of this enthusiasm and commitment has been demonstrated during the past 12 months, reaching its momentum at the first Deaf Nest Conference held on the 11th June. The event was hosted by the University of Salford where 200 delegates were welcomed from different parts of the UK. The event helped health professionals share good practice and knowledge, exchange ideas and was an inspiration to all those who cherish deaf women's reproductive rights.