Understanding mental health, introducing systems to boost wellbeing and supporting each other were the key takeaways for attendees of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid’s sold out Women’s Network event on 19 September.

After being treated to teas, coffees, fruit and pastries while networking and making new connections, attendees gained valuable insights from the event’s hosts Blake Morgan LLP (a Chamber member), elite sports stars turned business owners Rosie and Andries Pretorius, and The Birth Partner Project’s volunteer coordinator Areatha Comanescu.

Why the Women’s Network is so important

In the opening and closing remarks of the event, Blake Morgan LLP partners Paula Kathrens and Eve Piffaretti highlighted the firm’s delight in collaborating with the Chamber on the Women’s Network event, providing a space for women in business and women in leadership to share experiences and support each other.

Addressing a full conference room, the pair spoke about the common employment challenges experienced by women such as mental health and wellbeing, perimenopause and menopause before encouraging attendees to maintain their energy and enthusiasm for these popular networking events and their important role in the business landscape.

Making purposeful and intentional changes

Married couple Rosie and Andries Pretorius, former netball and rugby players respectively who are now the driving force behind immersive learning platform business One Step North, delivered their first talk together at the Chamber’s event.

Engaging with their audience, the couple used real world examples to illustrate how we often struggle to put ourselves, our mental health and wellbeing first. From a biological and psychological perspective, Andries shared the benefits of nutrition, exercise, rest and recovery and how being just 2% dehydrated can affect your optimal mental state.

Rosie built on Andries’ points and discussed how to implement small, purposeful and intentional changes on a daily basis. While changes such as a glass of water or minimising screen time can seem very small on their own, as compound changes they become part of systems and routines that enable people to improve their wellbeing and ultimately approach stress or challenges in a better way.

Having a structure which enables clear communication can help people meet their own needs and those of their personal network such as partners. By making small changes and having systems in place, people face the direction of the healthiest, best versions of themselves.

Supporting those in need

Towards the end of the event, Areatha Comanescu was invited to speak to attendees about the incredible work that small charity ‘The Birth Partner Project’ undertakes in Cardiff. Established in 2016 by a group of mothers, the charity provides support to people who would otherwise be alone through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

Mothers in need are referred to the charity by midwives, health visitors or self referral and can access weekly drop in sessions, in addition to the support they receive from the charity’s volunteers. The Birth Partner Project often works collaboratively with Oasis Cardiff and Welsh Refugee Council to support its mothers and acts as an advocate for them in health settings.

Many women at the event praised Areatha for raising awareness of the charity’s vital work in the community, the volunteering opportunities available and other ways to get involved to support women in need.