An online petition calling for the allowing of partners to be present durning the entirety of labour and births at hospitals has been gaining traction across the UK this weekend.
The natiowide petition – which was started by Holly Avis on change.org – currently has over 183,000 signatures, with the number continuing to rise every minute, and it was also reported live on Hits Radio Manchester this morning that a significant number of signatures on this petition came from residents in the Greater Manchester area.
Due to safety measures amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, restrictions have been placed on the amount of time that birthing partners are allowed to be present before, during and after births.
According to the official Pregnancy & COVID-19 guidance as stated on the NHS website, a birthing partner is “important for your safety and wellbeing during labour and birth” and “you’ll be able to have a birth partner during labour and the birth”, but only “if they do not have symptoms of coronavirus”.
It does however go on to confirm that “there may be limits on how long they can stay after the birth.”
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The guidance continues: “If your birth partner has symptoms, they may not be able to come with you [and] you might want to have a backup birth partner just in case.”
Providing her standpoint and giving her reasons for starting the petition in the change.org description, Holly Avis states: “I want to change the restrictions on partners being allowed in early labour/birth and after birth in maternity wards and hospitals around the country, to allow your chosen birth partner to be with you from the very start of labour to the very moment you are allowed to go home and also for scans and appointments.”
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She particularly expresses concern and frustration that “these rules are not consistent around the country”, citing how different restrictions apply at different hospitals, and states that “not having the partner there from the start puts [the mother] at risk of being alone in a horrendous situation”.
She does clarify she is “not saying we should open the wards to all visitors… but I don’t see why if your partner is allowed to be with you for part of the birth, they can not be present for all.”
Ms Avis closes out the statement urging members of the public to show their support by signing the petition as she feels it is “absolutely ludicrous to have shops open, to allow socialising in bubbles of six people that do not live together, but keep this rule in place.”
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Given that these restrictions have been in place for several months during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there are also other similar petitions – both on change.org and the official UK Government and Parliament Petitions website – which appear to have been set up during these uncertain times and are too calling for the same actions to be taken to allow for the presence of birthing partners.
These petitions have also seen and continue to see nationwide support.
If you would like to sign the petition – ‘Partners allowed for entirety of labour/birth in ALL hospitals’ – then you can find more information via the change.org website here.
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Vintage fashion sale to pop up in Greater Manchester with all proceeds going to charity
Emily Sergeant
A sustainable vintage fashion shop and kilo sale is popping up in a Greater Manchester town in a couple of days time.
And all the proceeds will go to a very-worthy charity.
Merely weeks after the UK’s largest vintage market descended on the iconic Victoria Baths in Manchester city centre, another sustainable fashion event will be popping up in one of the region’s popular shopping centres for the month.
British Heart Foundation will be hosting a brand-new pop-up shop and vintage kilo sale, where you can buy clothing and other goods at a fixed price per kilogram, in Stretford town centre.
Opening its doors this Saturday (5 April), the charity will be taking over the vacant unit that’s next door to JD Sports to provide the Stretford community with a charity shop filled with all sorts of vintage goods and thrifty finds.
Visitors will be able to sift through shelves stacked with major brands at bargain prices, making it the perfect way to sustainably stock up on wardrobe staples and revamp ready for spring.
A vintage fashion sale is popping up in a Greater Manchester town centre with all proceeds going to charity / Credit: Supplied
All proceeds from the pop-up shop will go directly to the British Heart Foundation, helping to fund vital research into cures and treatments for heart and circulatory diseases, so whether you’re a fashion lover, an avid bargain hunter, or you simply just want to support a good cause, you know where to head on down to.
Running right through until 19 April, this venture is set to be a massively-valuable new addition to Stretford town centre.
The British Heart Foundation pop-up store will be open on Mondays – Saturdays from 10am-4pm, and on Sundays from 10am-3:30pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Jack Grealish dedicates first league goal in 16 months to late brother on anniversary of his death
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Jack Grealish held back the tears following his first Premier League goal in more than 16 months, but not in relief after breaking the duck, because it came on a very emotional day for him and his family.
The Man City and England midfielder opened the scoring in the Blues’ 2-0 win against Leicester City on Wednesday night, bringing an end to his goal drought after a total of 473 days.
But what made it even more special is that the game happened to coincide with the anniversary of his late brother Keelan’s death.
Speaking in his post-match interview after picking up the man of the match award, Grealish was in a noticeably quieter mood than his usual charismatic self before revealing that the day marked the 25th anniversary of his younger sibling’s death.
Jack Grealish dedicates his goal to his late brother on the 25th anniversary of his death ❤️ pic.twitter.com/u3toaqZSuR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2025
The 29-year-old went on to reveal that the date coincided with Keelan’s passing and acknowledged that it’s “hard on the family but [I’m] happy to score”.
His mum and dad, Karen and Kevin, were up in the stands; it doesn’t need explaining why scoring in that particular moment was so special for all of them.
Clearly stirred by addressing what was a bittersweet occasion, he signed off by adding, “To score and to win was brilliant.”
Keelan Daniel Grealish was just nine months old when he tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) back in 2000 – ‘Super Jack’ was just four at the time.
Paying tribute on social media after the game, the comments below his post were filled with love and support.
Besides the goal itself, the former Aston Villa star was keen to reiterate that he was never brought to the club to score bags of goals and “has a lot more to offer” than just hitting the back of the net.
Touching on his Grealish’s game and the tribute to Keelan during his post-match duties, manager Pep Guardiola went on to add: “Jack is an incredible human being; in terms of gestures and for the other people, he’s incredibly generous.
“I didn’t know that [it was the anniversary of his brother’s death]. I can’t imagine how tough it could be for mum, dad, sister, and all the family. It’s good on this day to remember him, I’m pretty sure they remember every single day.”
A lovely moment from a much-loved character around the Eithad Stadium as well as up and down the country. Rest in peace, Keelan.
You can watch the highlights from the game down below:
Three more points on the board for City and a big moment for the Brummy-born midfielder.
The Manc -
24th August 2020 
