Protected & Progressing Live: A Parenthood Journey Expo

This is a Saturday afternoon for families and for anyone somewhere on the parenthood journey: thinking about starting, going through fertility treatment, expecting, on leave, back at work, or supporting someone who is. Dads, grandparents, managers and colleagues are as welcome as the parents.

It is completely free for pro-manchester members and their friends! Use code: GUESTFREE at checkout to get 100% off discount.

Part of it is a proper day out. Drop-in workshops you can join on the spot, stalls to wander round, food, and plenty to keep small people busy. The rest is the practical side nobody sits you down and explains: where you stand at work when you’re pregnant, on leave, or trying to come back on hours that fit your life.

Bring the kids. Bring your partner, your mum, or the friend who’s just had her flexible working request turned down.

Key Details

• Saturday 3 October 2026, 12:00pm to 4:00pm
• Citylabs 1.0, Nelson Street, Manchester, M13 9NQ
• Adults £10. Children free (limited capacity)
• Every adult ticket includes a luxury goodie bag worth over £30: samples, partner discount codes and our plain English guides to your rights at work
• Babies, toddlers and pushchairs welcome throughout

Event Highlights

Can they make me redundant while I’m on maternity leave? Do I have to accept the return date they’ve picked for me? Whatever you’ve been typing into Google at 2am, there’s a free legal advice clinic running all afternoon where you can ask it out loud and get a straight answer.

• 4 panel discussions on fertility and loss, the barriers to going back, the invisible load at home, and coming back stronger after leave
• 7 drop-in workshops, from feeding support and breathwork to creative writing, postpartum Pilates and health coaching
• Free legal advice all afternoon from the employment specialists behind Pregnant & Protected and Primas Law. No appointment, no fee
• 18 exhibitor stalls from charities, support organisations and wellbeing practitioners

The goodie bag alone is worth three times what you paid to get in. Full line-up of speakers, panels and workshops announced shortly.

Accessibility & Facilities

Step-free entry and lifts throughout, wheelchair accessible, baby changing facilities, pushchair parking, and a quiet space for feeding (though feed your baby wherever you’re most comfortable). Manchester Oxford Road station is a short walk away, several bus routes stop nearby, and there’s parking on site and close by.

Get your tickets now

Capacity is limited, and children’s places more so. £10 for the afternoon, free for the kids, and you’ll go home with more than you arrived with. Get your tickets now: https://www.pregnantandprotected.co.uk/live-event

Use code: GUESTFREE at checkout for free tickets