Women can get advice at upcoming event

People across the borough are being invited to an event to celebrate and inspire the women of Tameside.  

Organised in recognition of the Alcohol Exposed Pregnancies (AEP) programme, delivered by Tameside Council and partners, the event on Friday (March 6) hopes to empower women through health education regarding the risks of drinking during pregnancy.

It will take place at the Tameside Women and their Families Centre in Cavendish Mill on Bank Street in Ashton from 12.30pm to 3pm and people can just turn up on the day. 

It will feature inspirational speakers, activities and pop-up stalls providing information and support for a range of areas such as physical or mental health, education, maternity and many more.

Tameside Council, in partnership with Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP), has a programme to reduce AEP and eliminate any new cases of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the borough by raising awareness and providing support and advice, as and when people need it, together with three local providers Change Grow Live, Women and Their Families Centre and Early Years, Early Help and Neighbourhoods.

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Population Health, said: "Many people are not aware of the damage alcohol can have on an unborn baby and that drinking even small amounts during pregnancy can lead to life-long problems for the child.

"This event will be a great opportunity for women to seek advice about the harmful effects of alcohol before and during pregnancy." 

FASD is an umbrella term describing a range of conditions that can occur in an individual who was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. These vary widely between individuals and can include a range of issues including physical as well as social and developmental disorders, most of which are not visible. 

It is a spectrum of lifelong conditions that is entirely preventable if a woman is able to abstain from alcohol throughout her pregnancy.

The event comes ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday (March 8).