Two-day Caithness festival to focus on women's health and wellbeing
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A two-day Women's Wellness Festival in Caithness next month will feature guest speakers, health workshops and even a "come and try" period pain simulator.
It is being organised by North Highland Women's Wellbeing Hub and Lyth Arts Centre, with sessions taking place at Lyth over the weekend of March 18/19.
The opening event on the Saturday evening is a screening of the endometriosis film Below the Belt, executive-produced by Hillary Clinton.
On the Sunday, after a welcome by Dounreay's Tina Wrighton, there will be workshops on cervical screening (Jane Chandler and Ashley Mackay), human rights (Clare MacGillivray) and physiotherapy (Lynne Tait), a talk by former professional footballer Nicky Grant on the subject of menstruation and a presentation on endometriosis by Kirsteen Campbell and Rebecca Wymer, chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively of Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub.
There will also be health information stalls, trade stalls, food and drink, live music and activities for children.
Mrs Campbell said: "We are delighted to be working with Lyth Arts Centre to host this festival.
"The screening of Below the Belt is a fantastic opportunity for local women affected by endometriosis to come along with family and friends to give them a better insight into how hard it is to live with this disease."
Tickets for the film screening can be booked through the Lyth Arts Centre website.
"On the Sunday it is also Mother's Day and we are making it a day for the whole family," Mrs Campbell said. "March is also Endometriosis Awareness Month.
"We are delighted to have retired professional footballer Nicky Grant join us to talk about menstruation and sport.
"Our workshops will be valuable in helping to raise awareness. Then we have a good selection of information and awareness stalls, local women in business stalls, food stalls and a nice glass of prosecco.
"It is a free event but we will have a raffle to help us raise some funds to continue to run our four support groups."
She added: "Our strapline is Knowledge is Power, so the more we can open up conversations and get awareness into our county, the more we can help many women for years to come.
"This is an amazing and exciting opportunity for our community."
