Blog by FTWW Volunteer, Lowri
Hi, some of you know me already but for those of you who don’t… I’m Lowri and I’ve volunteered for FTWW for about 10 years (I think?!) I am also the endometriosis workplace champion for Powys County Council, and Mid Wales Endometriosis Support Group Leader – I wear a lot of hats!
I was recently invited by Debbie to attend the launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Inquiry into Endometriosis and the Workplace at Parliament in London, representing FTWW. It was a real privilege to be in the room with clinicians, campaigners, employers and people with lived experience, hearing why this inquiry matters, what it hopes to change, and how organisations can play a part in creating workplaces where people with endometriosis are understood and supported.
An early start in Mid Wales
I left my house just outside Brecon at 5am. The only other people in the village who were awake were the ones manning the lambing shed down the road.
After travelling up to London, I discovered tube strikes were on (typical) but I didn’t mind as it meant a walk in the sunshine down to Parliament Square.
Arriving at Parliament
I arrived with enough time for informal introductions with fellow attendees, including clinicians, Endometriosis UK staff and volunteers, and other endometriosis-friendly employers. I also caught up with Hannah Du Beke, who I’d met previously at an Endometriosis Friendly Employer event in March.
Inside the event: key messages and lived experience
The event was an hour long and hosted by Kirsteen Sullivan MP, Chair of the Endometriosis APPG. Kirsteen opened with her reasons for championing the topic and shared her own experiences. She then handed over to Hannah, who spoke powerfully about living with endometriosis, her career, and why it’s so important that workplaces support women to thrive.
The final speaker was Faye Farthing from Endometriosis UK, who explained what will be happening over the coming months, including a call for evidence that employees and employers can contribute to. More about that at the end.
The session ended with a short Q&A, where a few audience members asked questions and shared their stories, including Sanju Pal, who has recently won a significant employment appeal tribunal that could affect how employers are allowed to treat staff with endometriosis.
Angus Thomson also shared his views as a gynaecologist and Chair of the BSGE, highlighting the need for more research, funding, and better education for doctors and nurses.
Representatives from the Bank of Ireland spoke about the work they’ve been doing as an endometriosis-friendly employer and suggested the idea of a training course for staff and managers to help them understand symptoms and how to provide support.
I shared that I’ve been thinking along similar lines recently; an e-learning module that could be shared more widely, beyond workplaces, to include people in public office (County Councillors, MSs and MPs). They are often approached by women looking for help and support with their care and issues with workplace experiences and having a background knowledge of endometriosis could help them respond in a more informed and compassionate way and better understand their constituents’ experiences.
The event ended with some positive conversations, and we headed out into the sunshine.
A quick catch-up with my local MP
I then nipped around the corner to another Parliament building where my local MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick, met me for a quick chat before he had to head off to one of the many other meetings and debates he had on that afternoon. I explained why I was in London, shared more about endometriosis and FTWW’s work, and promised I’d email him with more information once I got home….. it’s next on my list after writing this blog!
A moment to reflect (and a little sightseeing)
Once the excitement of Parliament was over, I had some time to spare to play tourist on the way back to the station. I took a stroll past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and up through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace.
I left London feeling hopeful and more determined than ever…watch out haha! Hearing the range of voices in the room, from people sharing lived experience to clinicians, campaigners and employers trying to do the right thing, reminded me how much change is possible when we work together.
The inquiry feels like a real opportunity to shine a light on what people are facing day to day, and to push for practical improvements like better awareness, clearer policies, and training that helps managers respond with confidence and compassion. There’s real momentum building around endometriosis in the workplace, and it’s clear that informed, flexible support can make a meaningful difference.
English (UK) 
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