A hydrocephalus awareness charity is calling on all UK healthcare providers to help raise awareness of “lifesaving” baby head measurement.
Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust (Harry’s HAT) is an organisation that was set up to raise awareness of paediatric hydrocephalus – an incurable, and sadly life-threatening condition that affects one in every 770 babies.
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of excess fluid in the brain, which can put pressure on it to such an extent that it causes damage, and – if left untreated – can be fatal.
Harry’s HAT was set up in 2018 by founder and CEO, Caroline Coates, whose son Harry was first diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst when she was 36-weeks pregnant, that was later confirmed after he was born to have caused hydrocephalus.
Harry’s family were then told he would need a permanent shunt to drain the fluid from his brain at just eight weeks old if he was to survive.
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By the time Harry had reached his first birthday, the youngster had already endured four brain surgeries, and had spent lots of time in hospital, with frequent blue light trips into A&E – while his family found themselves isolated by their lack of knowledge on the condition, and often struggled to access the support and information they needed.
Harry was diagnosed with hydrocephalus shortly after he was born / Credit: Caroline Coates
Harry’s HAT is the only UK charity to focus solely on hydrocephalus and its impact, and the organisation works to make life better for children with hydrocephalus, as well as for those who love and care for them, all year round.
The organisation’s latest campaign, however, may be one of its most crucial yet.
The GET-A-HEAD Campaign is working to spread awareness and highlight the importance of the need for trained health care professionals to measure and record a baby’s head circumference in the first year of life, as this is one of the ways hydrocephalus can be diagnosed.
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Hoping to reach expectant and new parents across the UK, the campaign’s mission is to show why these measurements can be a crucial tool for spotting life-threatening conditions such as hydrocephalus, so that little ones showing signs of the condition will no longer be able to slip through the net.
The campaign was set up after a recent survey by pregnancy and parenting advice forum, Bounty, discovered that only 20% of new parents were aware that measuring a baby’s head can help identify hydrocephalus, and almost half (45%) didn’t know that their baby’s head should even be measured at birth.
Harry’s HAT says “this needs to change”, as research suggests that early diagnosis can help improve the outcome for a baby born with hydrocephalus.
“While there is no cure for the condition, there is treatment,” the charity urges.
The GET-A-HEAD Campaign is working to spread awareness of lifesaving baby head measurement / Credit: Harry’s HAT
Speaking on why the campaign means so much to her, and why it’s so crucial, Caroline Coates – founder and CEO of Harry’s HAT – said: “Harry is my fourth child and I have spent most of my working life working for social care charities, yet even I didn’t know why they measured a baby’s head. I just thought it was something health professionals did and I never considered that it could reveal a life-threatening condition.”
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“Far too many babies are still slipping through the net, and all too often we hear from parents who tell us that chances to spot their child’s hydrocephalus were missed.”
You can support the GET-A-HEAD Campaign and find out more about the work Harry’s HAT does on the charity’s website here.
Featured Image – Harry’s HAT
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Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures/Adrian Michael (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Four Manchester museums and galleries shortlisted for the ‘Oscars of the museum world’
Danny Jones
It’s official: four museums and galleries in Manchester have been shortlisted for what this particular scene dubs as the ‘Oscar’ equivalent of annual awards.
All located right here in the city centre, the quartet of cultural institutions are all famous not only in their own specific fields here in the North West, but nationwide and, indeed, all over Europe and beyond.
That being said, having this fantastic four-piece all nominated for the 2026 Museums + Heritage Awards together in the same year is a testament to just how blessed the Greater Manchester region is in this department.
Sponsored by Altair Media Ltd, the places in question are the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, as well as the National Football and Manchester Museum. Congratulations!
Credit: Publicity picture/Lee McLean/PA Media Assignments (supplied)
While the National Football Museum and Manchester Art Gallery have been nominated for group-wide accolades – the Visitor Welcome and Team of the Year awards, respectively – the other two have been selected for a pair of specific projects.
In the case of Science and Industry (SIM), they’ve been spotlighted for the highly anticipated opening of the new and improved ‘Power Hall’, finally relaunched this past October, along with the accompanying Andrew Law Gallery, which could win both Permanent Exhibition and/or Sustainable Project of the Year.
What a haul that would be.
As for Manchester Museum, their memorable world premiere of The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years has been shortlisted for ‘Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year’.
Debuting back in July 2025, it wrapped up last September and has since moved over to the likes of the Wakefield Exchange in Yorkshire, where it’s still on display until Sunday, 12 April.
If you fancy a day trip to see a big, glowing and very cute cat, it’s well worth booking a day out to go and see it for yourself.
Shazia Butt, Manchester City Council‘s Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Property, Crime and Policing, said: “We’re very lucky in Manchester to have so many incredible, creative and world-class museums and galleries right here on our doorstep, providing inspiration, learning, energy and fun, as well as spaces to rest and reflect, free of charge every day of the week.
“We know that visiting museums and heritage sites is the most popular cultural pastime for our residents, with over 73% of people saying they loved to visit in a recent survey – and with the calibre of these amazing spaces and what they offer in the city, it’s not hard to understand why.
“It’s fantastic to see this backbone of our cultural offer in Manchester being recognised in this way up there amongst the very best of museums and galleries nationally and internationally.”
Once again, well done to all those involved in making these venues so amazing and well worthy of the already award-winning status, as this particular nomination is just the latest in a lasting lineage of recognition that all of these wonderful spaces have earned over decades. Long may it continue.
The awards ceremony itself will take place on Wednesday, 13 May at the Park Lane Hilton down in London; best of luck to those flying the Manc flag for us – not that they need it.
Emily Sergeant -
10th March 2023 
