About this Event
ESOL Baby Steps: Helping Mums Find Their Voice
Twelve sessions. Practical skills. Babies welcome.
Join us for Baby Week 2026 at Liverpool Central Library
Tuesday 17 November 2026 | 10am–2pm
Liverpool Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EW
What if learning English meant leaving your baby behind?
For many migrant mothers, accessing English language classes can be difficult when childcare is unavailable or young children aren't welcome. Yet being able to communicate confidently, particularly during pregnancy and early motherhood, can make a real difference to women's health, independence and wellbeing.
ESOL Baby Steps offers a simple solution: bring the children and learn together.
Join us during Baby Week 2026 to discover this innovative NHS-funded programme, developed by Improving Me – NHS Cheshire and Merseyside's Women's Health and Maternity Programme – in collaboration with researchers, midwifery students and adult education specialists.
What is ESOL Baby Steps?
ESOL Baby Steps is a free-to-access, 12-session English language learning programme designed for migrant women who are pregnant or caring for babies and young children.
Unlike many traditional English classes, mothers can attend with their little ones.
The friendly, informal sessions use everyday experiences of pregnancy, birth, infant care and family health to help women:
- Develop practical English language skills.
- Build confidence when speaking to midwives, doctors and other healthcare professionals.
- Ask questions and better understand health information.
- Feel more involved in decisions about their own care.
- Make friends, build connections and reduce social isolation.
Learning works both ways
What makes ESOL Baby Steps different is that the learning doesn't just benefit mothers.
The programme also provides opportunities for healthcare students and professionals to learn directly from migrant women, developing greater understanding of the cultural, social and practical barriers that can affect access to healthcare.
By bringing mothers, educators and future healthcare professionals together, ESOL Baby Steps encourages mutual understanding, stronger community connections and more culturally responsive maternity care.
Free resources for community organisations
ESOL Baby Steps has been designed so that it can be delivered in a wide range of community and healthcare settings.
Its ready-to-use learning resources include a course guide, flashcards, a flip book for session leaders and a Mum's Book for participants.
No specialist English teaching qualification is required to use the materials.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to family hubs, voluntary and community organisations, healthcare teams and educators seeking practical ways to support migrant mothers.
Who is this event for?
We welcome anyone interested in improving women's health, language learning and access to maternity services, including:
- Migrant mothers, pregnant women and families.
- Midwives, maternity staff and healthcare students.
- ESOL tutors, educators and researchers.
- Family hubs, community groups and voluntary organisations.
- Public health professionals and anyone working to tackle health inequalities.
Closing the Gap – Baby Week 2026
Baby Week 2026 takes place across Cheshire and Merseyside from 16–22 November, bringing families, healthcare professionals and community partners together under the theme Closing the Gap.
ESOL Baby Steps demonstrates how a relatively simple change – welcoming babies and young children into language learning – can help tackle wider barriers to education, connection and women's health.
As Improving Me celebrates ten years of working to improve women's health and maternity experiences, this event offers an opportunity to discover a programme with the potential to benefit communities across the country.
Join us to find out how small steps can help create a more inclusive future for women and families.
Event details
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2026
Time: 10am–2pm
Venue: Liverpool Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EW
Book your place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2003151492036
Find out more about ESOL Baby Steps:
www.esolbabysteps.org
Part of Baby Week 2026, organised by Improving Me – NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Women's Health and Maternity Programme.
Every mother deserves to be heard. Every voice matters.
Event venue & nearby stays
Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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