FTWW Admin, Author at FTWW

Text reads FTWW public statement on welfare reform proposals

FTWW Public Statement on Welfare Reform Proposals, March 2025

March 25, 2025

As a disabled people’s organisation (DPO) FTWW understands and shares concerns being expressed by many disabled people and our community regarding recent proposals for welfare reform in the UK. FTWW was founded in 2014 because of the additional barriers disabled and chronically ill women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) in Wales can face in trying to access healthcare and support. Common themes of lack of specialist care, long diagnostic delays, and a lack of research data about health conditions that uniquely or disproportionately impact us can often result in our health deteriorating, leaving people unable to work /…

A screengrab from the Senedd video, on an FTWW branded background complete with yellow awareness ribbon.

First Minister commits to establishing specialist endometriosis services for Endometriosis care in Wales

March 18, 2025

“We recognise the difficulties women face in accessing specialist services for health conditions, particularly surgery for endometriosis. Officials are working with the women’s health network and the Gynaecology Implementation Network to strengthen secondary care, and with the joint commissioning committee to explore establishing specialist commissioned services for tertiary care.” – Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales Long time followers of FTWW will know that we have been campaigning for improved access to specialist services since the very beginning of FTWW back in 2014, and that it was a key theme in the #WomensHealthWales Coalition report published in 2022, so we…

Ramadan Resources

March 3, 2025

We would like to wish Muslims across Wales and beyond Ramadan Mubarak (a blessed Ramadan). As a disabled people’s organisation (DPO), we send our warm regards and well wishes to all those who are Disabled and / or chronically ill across the globe and who are observing Ramadan at this time. Many Disabled and chronically ill people are unable to fast or physically pray due to their illnesses or impairments, but may choose to observe the holy month in other ways. Below are some resources which we hope will signpost information, advice and support, not only for our Muslim community…

Jack Sargeant MS, Huw Irranca-Davies, John Griffiths MS and Dee Montague-Coast from FTWW

Endometriosis: Invite your MS to meet us at The Senedd

February 27, 2025

March is Endometriosis Action Month, and – alongside our friends at Endometriosis UK – we will be hosting two events that focus on the economic and human costs of living with the condition; as well as the impact on all aspects of life for those living with endometriosis, including physical and mental health, education and work, and relationships, The NHS Confederation Women’s Health Economics 2024 report estimates the economic cost of absenteeism due to severe period pain and heavy periods alongside endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts to be nearly £11 billion per annum. The first event is kindly sponsored…

The First Minister and the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing are joined by members of the Women's Health Wales Coalition and FTWW Volunteers on the Senedd steps, smiling at the camera together

FTWW Statement on the NHS Wales 10-year Women’s Health Plan

October 11, 2024

We are delighted to be sharing this statement at such an exciting time for women’s health in Wales as a 10-year Plan is launched by the Welsh Government. Those who have followed FTWW over the ten years since our inception will know that we have long sought to raise awareness of the disparities in healthcare services and patient outcomes experienced by women and people registered female at birth. For ten years, we have heard countless stories of inequitable treatment from our members and wider network. We have provided a safe and validating space for fellow patients searching for answers as…

Illustration of a person sitting comfortably using a laptop, accompanied by the text "FTWW Blog: Disability and Employment" and "Nothing about us without us.

Disability and Employment: Nothing About Us Without Us

September 25, 2024

by Dee Montague-Coast (FTWW Engagement Officer) Last week, I met with my (at the time of writing, only) work colleague in-person – something so normal to many, however it was the first time I’d seen her in person since November 2019 – over a year before I began working for FTWW. Before last week, when we’d tell people we’d not seen each other in-person for 5 years, we would be met with shock, surprise, and disbelief. “But FTWW has achieved so much! HOW!?” exclaimed one. The fact that these responses are the norm, and FTWW’s remote and flexible working practices…

The cover from the presentation with FTWW and Laura's logos, with the heading Getting the most from your medical appointment

Getting the most from your medical appointment

August 19, 2024

Back in June at the second Everywoman Festival, we delivered a workshop called ‘Getting the most from your medical appointment’, in partnership with FTWW’s PMDD Volunteer Champion, Laura Teare-Jones. We wanted to make sure it was made available to all who may need it, so Dee and Laura recently met to record it. You can watch – and share – via our Vimeo, below. If you need the slides to refer to in your own time, a QR code can be scanned at the end of the video which will enable you to download them. Don’t forget, you can also…

A photo of Sam Skelton, a white woman with black curly hair.

Sam Skelton

July 22, 2024

We are very sad to share the news that valued FTWW member, Sam Skelton (pictured), very sadly passed away on 18th July. Sam was many wonderful things to so many people, but we’d like to share a bit more about the Sam we got to know. She was a very good friend of “the two Dees” at FTWW; our Engagement Officer, Dee Montague-Coast, and Trustee and Neurodivergence and Mental Health Champion, Dee Dickens. It was through them that Sam joined our Facebook group, where she often shared excellent, kind, and compassionate advice to her fellow members. When Marie Curie approached…

A graphic highlighting the importance of the UK General Election for women's health equality, particularly in Wales. The text directs to ftwww.org.uk for more information. Icons include a ballot box and megaphone.

What’s Wales got to do with it? Why the UK General Election Really Matters for Women’s Health Equality – and why Welsh Voices Count

July 1, 2024

A FTWW Blog As the UK General Election fast approaches, many of FTWW’s followers might be thinking that, as the NHS is devolved in Wales, there’s little that any new government in Westminster can do to address health inequities experienced by those we support. Partly, of course, they’d be right – the Senedd elections are incredibly important to us as an organisation focused on female health equality in Wales. But that’s not to say that the UK Government hasn’t got a huge amount of influence over our health-related experiences more generally. The Office for National Statistics reports that women may…

An illustration of a uterus, with text reading breaking the silence on gynaecological cancers - and beyond! FTWW statement

Breaking the Silence on Gynaecological Cancers – and Beyond!

May 16, 2024

FTWW Statement on Senedd Health & Social Care Committee Inquiry into Gynaecological Cancers & Plenary debate (15/05/24) Breaking the Silence on Gynaecological Cancers – and Beyond! Having contributed extensively to the recent inquiry into gynaecological cancers undertaken by the Senedd Health & Social Care Committee, FTWW was keen to read the Welsh Government’s response to the Committee’s subsequent report, ‘Unheard: Women’s Journey Through Gynaecological Cancer’. Whilst the vast majority of its recommendations were accepted by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Eluned Morgan, some were not – and, so, the debate in yesterday’s plenary session in the Senedd was…

Your Chance to Learn More about Menopause in the Workplace!

April 17, 2024

We are delighted that FTWW Menopause Champions, Lisa and Lara, will be participating at Policy Insight Wales Menopause in the Workplace Wales Conference on April 24th at the Cardiff Marriott. They will be discussing topics like the importance of workplace culture, reasonable adjustments, and the need to recognise that menopause can affect employees of all ages, and alongside other health conditions. The event will help employers better understand how to support, value and retain this essential part of the workforce. You can view the Agenda here: https://www.policyinsight.wales/conferences-and-events/menopause-in-the-workplace-wales-conference/agenda/ For FTWW newsletter subscribers there is a 20% discount on tickets so…

Watch now: Endometriosis Action Month virtual panel in partnership with FTWW

April 16, 2024

A report from Endometriosis UK in March 2024 revealed that the average diagnosis time in Wales has risen to 9 years and 11 months. This virtual panel event discussed this further and looked at work underway in Wales to address the problem, including the launch of new content on NHS Wales-approved website, Endometriosis Cymru, and a digitised Symptom Reporting Tool. Many thanks to Jenny Rathbone MS for chairing this event. This session featured: Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, to share some further insights from the report. Debbie Shaffer, Founder of FTWW, and member of the Endometriosis Cymru team, joined…

Endometriosis Cymru website and symptom reporting tool now live

March 26, 2024

If you live in Wales and have been diagnosed with endometriosis, or have symptoms you suspect may be endometriosis, Endometriosis Cymru can help. The endometriosis.cymru website provides a wealth of information and resources to help you manage symptoms and navigate living with the condition. It also provides useful tips and tools for parents, carers, educators, and employers. The information, resources, and tools on the website can be accessed by anyone – you don’t have to live in Wales to use them! Endometriosis Cymru is a collaborative project, initiated in 2019 by the Welsh Government and NHS Wales with Cardiff University…

The Disability Pride flag. A black background with red, yellow, white, blue and green stripes moving diagonally from top left to bottom right.

Disability Rights Taskforce Newsletter – Spring 2024

March 21, 2024

FTWW is a member of The Welsh Government’s Disability Rights Taskforce, and our staff, Trustees and Volunteers also represent the charity on the various working groups that feed into it. We’re delighted to share the Taskforce’s latest newsletter, which details progress made with their work since issuing the Winter newsletter in 2023. Disability Rights Taskforce Newsletter – Spring 2024 Vision for Wales: Improving outcomes for disabled people. We want to ask your views on our idea for communicating our co-produced work and our vision for equality for disabled people in Wales. The idea builds upon the hard work and…

two rebel bodies paperbacks lie next to each other on a red background.

Rebel Bodies is out in paperback!

January 30, 2024

We are delighted to share that Sarah Graham’s fantastic book, Rebel Bodies: A Guide to the Gender Health Gap Revolution, is now out in paperback! You may recall that FTWW was included as a case study in what has become a must-read for anyone with an interest in intersectional female health issues, so please do spread the word! Sarah is currently running a giveaway over on her Instagram page, but if you already have it, why not check out her top picks for Rebel readers over on Bookshop.org?

PMDD – the hidden link between hormones and mental health

January 30, 2024

Episode 11 of the Piece of Mind podcast heard from FTWW member, Becci Smart, to discuss the reality of living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and the research currently taking place at the NCMH that’s looking to learn more to improve diagnosis and treatment. Becci’s petition calling on Health Education & Improvement Wales to make PMDD a mandatory CPD module in postgrad medical teaching ends on 1st February, so please do sign and share!

The cover of Dee’s book. The image is blue and red cell on a purple background, with the book title in the centre and Dee’s name below.

Schroedinger’s Lump – Dee Dickens

November 30, 2023

Our Trustees are incredibly talented people, and Dee Dickens is no exception! We are absolutely delighted to not only congratulate them on the publication of her latest poetry collection, Shroedinger’s Lump, but also thank her for kindly donating proceeds from sales to FTWW and our friends at Love Your Period. Dee’s collection covers their experiences of accessing healthcare during a breast cancer scare, which was complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic. We know that Dee’s poems will resonate with so many in our community, so if you’d like to read it – and support us by doing so – you can…

FTWW Benefits from Awards for All Funding

November 30, 2023

We are really excited to announce that FTWW has been successful in securing a Lottery Awards for All grant to refresh our website and create new and more downloadable resources for our community. We are keen to ensure that the website is more accessible and easier to use, with new content in Welsh and English added on the various health conditions and issues which so many people across Wales report to us. There will be more patient stories, practical information on accessing services and having your voice heard, and an expanded range of leaflets which website visitors can download and…

Text reading Women’s Health Wales / Iehcyd Menywod Cymru on a purple background with arrows and equals symbols running through it.

Updates on the Development of a NHS Wales Women’s & Girls’ Health Plan

November 30, 2023

Earlier this month we Chaired the first Annual General Meeting of the third sector Women’s Health Wales Coalition, where we were pleased to hear updates from the new Welsh Government Women’s Health Policy Team. Assurances were given that a new National Clinical Strategic Network for Women’s Health is in the process of being set up. The Strategic Network will be responsible for developing and delivering a 10-year Women’s & Girls’ Health Plan for Wales, with a focus on NHS services. However, as gender health inequalities extend beyond this – into education, training, the workplace, and more – there will need…

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