Save the Choice to Care
Please note: This is a past event and recordings of the talks are sent to delegates soon after the conference.
Mothers At Home Matter Annual Conference
Tuesday, 12th November 2024
Mandeville Place, London
10am - 3:30pm
Save the Choice to Care
78% of parents with children under 5 would like to spend more time with their children, but feel they cannot afford to.
Less than 1 in 4 mothers are able to be home to care for their own young children.
Does it matter?
Helping mothers to get back into the workplace has been the aim of this and previous governments.
But what if a mother’s instinct is to care for her own children? Or what if meaning, purpose and fulfilment can also be found in nurturing and raising the next generation? If the State takes over tending the children, have parents then lost agency and lost a voice in decisions that concern them? And what about the emotional needs of children themselves?
These are some of the questions we will explore at our Conference in November. At a time when every economic incentive is stacked against the choice to care at home we ask, does it matter, and if it does, how can we level the playing field so that there is real choice?
Come and join the conversation and be part of the change we want to see!
Join us at conference
Tuesday 12th November 2024
10am - 3.30pm
11 Mandeville Place, London, W1U 3AJ and online via Zoom
Ticket prices vary depending on whether you’re a member and whether you are attending online or in person. Please ensure you select the correct ticket type :)
Last year was our first hybrid conference and it was a huge success! Whether you can join us in London or online, we'd love to have your involvement in the day. The event will be live-streamed on Zoom with a chance for online attendees to participate by asking questions and discussing issues with each other in breakout rooms.
Morning
Welcome from Chair
David Goodhart (Author, Policy Exchange)
Ellie Vivian (The Other Half)
Neil Leitch (Early Years Alliance)
Lunch (12:45)
Afternoon
An overview of the Scandinavian childcare model Denmark/Sweden/Finland – how do mothers & children fare
The political overview Is there any chance of change?
MAHM campaign Reclassifying economic inactivity & unpaid care
Levelling the playing field Our areas of focus
How can you help?
MAHM updates & AGM
Q&A
Our Speakers
Ellie Vivian is The Other Half’s Early Years Research Lead, a mum of one, and is completing a PhD in Philosophy, Theology and Religion.
The Other Half is a non-partisan UK think tank developing policy in women’s interests. Their recent report, What Do Mums Want in the Early Years, surveyed 582 mums and conducted interviews with 23. The overwhelming response was that mums wanted family friendly work, more parenting time with young children, an economy that allows for care, and a village of support.
David Goodhart - a prominent figure in public debate in the UK, a well-known broadcaster, author, commentator and journalist and a commissioner on the Equality & Human Rights Commission.
His forthcoming book ‘The Care Dilemma’ tackles the issues surrounding care; he writes about its necessity and value and the steep price we pay as a society for overlooking and denying that value - from the epidemic of mental fragility among young people to the plunge in fertility and questions whether our current social and economic models truly serve our well-being.
“As ever iconoclastic, at times shocking and always challenging, David manages to offer fresh insight into what is arguably the greatest challenge of our time - the future of the family, and how we care for and live with one another.”
“‘The Care Dilemma’ brilliantly reveals how cultural shifts towards individualism and personal autonomy have made us materially richer but deprived both young and old of what they most desire; to be cared for by those who love them.”
“[David Goodhart’s] book is a vital call to rethink how we value care in both the home and the public economy.”
Madeleine Wallin is General Secretary of the European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home (FEFAF) as well as the International Coordinator and Board Member for Haro: she previously served as President of both organizations.
In her work at FEFAF and Haro, she advocates freedom of choice and equality for parents in Swedish family politics and wants to raise awareness about children's needs and the importance of motherhood. She is a mother of five children.
Neil Leitch (CEO, Early Years Alliance) followed a career in finance by volunteering his skills to what was then the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Finding its ethos and dedication to the lives of young children chimed deeply with his values, Neil came out of semi-retirement to join the Alliance full-time and in 2008, became its CEO.
He has been an unwavering leader of the largest early years membership organisation in the country, fronting campaigns on funding and the mental health of the workforce. He has provided evidence to multiple government inquiries, and was key in developing the two-year-old early entitlement offer and remains a powerful voice for the sector.
Further Details
Every ticket holder will be sent a recording of the event so you can catch up on anything you've missed. If you attend our event in person in London you will also get a brand new MAHM tote bag!
If you can’t attend our London event why not get together with some local mums and watch the online conference together? Please contact your local MAHM support group and see if there’s a watch event near you: you can find your nearest group here.
Don’t worry if you’re not able to take part in the whole day. Buying a ticket means you will be sent the recording a week after the conference so you can catch up in your own time.
Please do not be put off if you would like to attend the conference but the ticket price makes things tricky. We value your presence. Please contact Becca if you need a complimentary online ticket.
If you have any questions about our conference please check out our Conference FAQs or email Becca.