BTFN Launches Film Club: Beyond Baby Blue

The Burdett Trust for Nursing recently hosted the first event in its new Film Club series, bringing together an audience from across the UK to explore issues facing health and care today.

This inaugural event featured a screening of Beyond Baby Blue, an award-winning drama funded by the Trust that shines a light on the realities of postnatal depression and the support which families need.

Hosted by Clare Cable, Chief Executive of the Burdett Trust for Nursing, we welcomed participants from a range of professional backgrounds and regions – a valuable space for reflection, learning and discussion. The Film Club helps profile the Trust’s extensive collection of films, which explore nursing, health and social care issues through powerful storytelling.

The film was introduced by award-winning filmmaker Chris Godwin, whose work focuses on social impact, culture change and health-related themes. Beyond Baby Blue tells the story of a young mother experiencing postnatal depression, drawing on real-life experience to portray the isolation, stigma and emotional challenges many women face.

Following the screening, attendees joined a panel discussion chaired by Chris Godwin, with lived experience advocate Naomi Farrow, perinatal and infant mental health leader Eileen Perrins from the Institute of Health Visiting. The discussion explored the impact of postnatal depression, the importance of early intervention, the role of health visitors, and the influence of social determinants such as poverty, isolation and access to support services.

Participants described the film as “powerful”, “thought-provoking” and “deeply moving”, with many reflecting on the importance of recognising the realities of perinatal mental health and ensuring that mothers, babies, partners and families receive the support they need. The conversation also highlighted the value of continuity of care, community connections and peer support in helping families navigate difficult experiences.

The event demonstrated the extraordinary ability of film to spark meaningful dialogue, encourage reflection and support professional learning. We have all committed to using the film as a discussion tool, helping to extend these important conversations into workplaces, community settings and universities.

The next Burdett Trust Film Club will take place in February and will continue our commitment to using storytelling to explore issues that matter to nursing, healthcare professionals and the communities they serve.

Watch Beyond Baby Blue and explore the Burdett Trust Film Hub

Film Hub