Skelmersdale Women To Voice Their Experiences with Asthma
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- 24 February 2025
Most of us know someone with asthma – you might even be one of the 7.2 million people in the UK with it. Although asthma was first recognised more than 2,000 years ago, until recently, it was thought to affect men and women in much the same way.
However, we now know that asthma is worse for women. After puberty, women are twice as likely as men to develop asthma. Women aged 20-50 are three times more likely to be hospitalised, and women are twice as likely to die of an asthma attack than men.
Why asthma affects women more than men is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be connected to sex hormones, with women often experiencing changes to their symptoms during their periods, pregnancy and menopause.
A group of women affected by asthma and Imperial College scientists researching it have been working together for two years, sharing stories and experiences in creative ways using textiles and crafting.
The project, called ‘Women and Asthma’, involves The Sewing Rooms in Skelmersdale and craft groups in Tower Hamlets and Birmingham. It will be hosting two free workshops in Skelmersdale on 8 and 9 March in connection with International Women’s Day.
The first is a drop-in workshop at Skelmersdale Library on Saturday, 8 March. Turn up any time between 10.30 and 15.30, no need to book. It’s open to everyone aged 5+ (children must be accompanied by an adult), whether or not you have asthma.
The second is at ATT Central in The Concourse on Sunday 9 March. This is specifically for women affected by asthma, either directly or through caring for others. To register your interest and for more information, email Bev Roberts at editor@aboutthetown.co.uk.
Both workshops are free, and materials will be provided – all you need is a willingness to try crafting!
The activities and stories shared at these workshops, and those in Tower Hamlets and Birmingham, will form a creative installation that will visit Skelmersdale in September 2025 – dates and details to follow in a future issue.
