Reducing inequalities
We want maternity and neonatal services to work well for everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, disability, language, age or circumstance.
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire MNVP
Helping local families shape maternity and neonatal care
We are a community of women, birthing people, families, volunteers and NHS partners working together to improve maternity and neonatal services across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
NHS partner organisation Community-led since 2022
Equity at the heart of our work
Every voice matters. Especially the voices that are too often unheard.
We know that not everyone experiences maternity and neonatal care in the same way. Some families face additional barriers to accessing services, being listened to or receiving the care they need.
We are committed to reaching communities whose voices are often underrepresented in decision-making, including bereaved families and families of mothers and babies who have experienced harm, so their experiences help shape safer, kinder and more equitable care for everyone.
Our equity priorities
Working towards fairer maternity and neonatal care for every family.
Listening differently
Not everyone can attend meetings or complete surveys. We are exploring different ways to hear from people and meet communities where they already are.
Building trust
We know trust must be earned. We are committed to developing genuine relationships with communities and organisations across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Turning feedback into action
People deserve to know their voices make a difference. We will continue to share how community experiences contribute to improvements in local services.
Our impact so far
Real change, driven by the voices of local families.
1,200+
Community voices gathered
85
Engagement activities completed
40+
Volunteers involved
20
Service improvements influenced
How we make change
From lived experience to lasting improvement.
We turn the everyday experiences of families into clear priorities for change and we follow through with NHS partners to make sure those changes happen.
Listen
We gather experiences from women, birthing people and families.
Understand
We identify themes, priorities and opportunities for improvement.
Influence
We bring lived experience into conversations where decisions are made.
Improve
We help shape changes that improve maternity and neonatal services.
Why your voice matters
The experiences of local families help shape better care.
Whether your experience was positive, difficult or somewhere in between, your voice can help shape future care for others.
Share an experience
Tell us about your pregnancy, birth or neonatal care so others can benefit from what you learnt.
Become a volunteer
Join a welcoming community of parents, families and allies helping to shape local care.
See our impact
Discover how local voices are influencing maternity and neonatal services across the county.
What we stand for
Six principles that guide everything we do.
Co-produced with families, partners and volunteers, and lived every day.
Read our story01
Listening
We hear families on their own terms.
02
Inclusion
Every community belongs in this conversation.
03
Representation
Our work reflects the people we serve.
04
Transparency
We are open about what we hear and what changes.
05
Co-production
Families are partners, not afterthoughts.
06
Accountability
We follow through and feedback outcomes.
Voices from our community
Why local people give their time.
“After losing my baby, I wanted to help ensure affected families are heard and involved in improving services. The MNVP has given me opportunities to influence conversations that matter.”
“As a Black mother in Nottingham, I know representation matters. I wanted to help ensure more voices are heard and help improve outcomes for local families.”
“My neonatal experience inspired me to get involved so that future families benefit from lessons learned through lived experience.”
Latest news
What's happening across the partnership.
October 2026
Community listening visits across Nottinghamshire
Visiting parent groups, community organisations and grassroots projects across the county to hear from families whose voices are often missing.
September 2026
New Engagement Lead recruitment now open
We are recruiting an Engagement Lead to deepen our work with underserved communities and strengthen county-wide listening.
September 2026
Volunteer recruitment open to every community
We are welcoming new volunteers from every background, with full support, training and flexibility.
August 2026
Inequalities-focused engagement with local partners
Working with voluntary and community organisations to reach Black, South Asian, refugee and other communities experiencing inequalities in maternity care.
August 2026
Family feedback shapes neonatal pathway review
Themes from listening across NUH and Sherwood Forest neonatal services are informing local improvement priorities.
July 2026
Responding to the Ockenden Review
Ensuring family voices contribute meaningfully to local learning, accountability and improvement following the Ockenden Review.
Help shape what happens next
Your story could change someone else's care.
It takes just a few minutes to share your experience. Every response shapes the priorities we take to local maternity and neonatal services.
