Sat 26 September 2026 • 12:30pm
Storyhouse Childless: Birth Rate Panic! Not our problem.
Why Non-Parents Won't Be Blamed For Capitalism's Failures
Event details
Part of: Storyhouse Childless
Every week it seems, another news cycle about the global declining birth rate elsewhere, sparks more existential panic about our greying populations. Headlines shriek about the threat to our social security systems, and shove the blame onto women, even if they have children and especially if they don’t. But, as the founders of ‘We are Childfree’ argue, birth rate panic isn’t really about elder care provision – it’s driven by a conservative backlash against women’s empowerment, by white supremacy, and a refusal to rethink the capitalist commitment to endless growth which truly does endanger us all.
Join us to find out how childfree and childless folks could be the key to a more sustainable future.
This event is for people who are Childless and Childfree and their supporters.
Events may feature strong language, mention of abortion, trauma, pregnancy, miscarriage, and suicidal ideation. Please look out for yourself and others and please remember you can come and go from any event.
If you have any access needs for example noise sensitivity, mobility or if there is any other support you need, please add yourself to the access register here. We will get in touch with you before the event to chat about we can support you to have the best experience of the discussions group events.
Included in Pass
Individual Tickets: Pay what you can: £5-£12
Storyhouse is a charity, an independent arts centre and creative hub.
Find out more here.
Storyhouse Childless: Welcome Gathering
Storyhouse Childless: Festival Welcome
Storyhouse Childless: Creative Workshop
Learn more about the panel…
Zoë Noble and James Glazebrook are the founders of We are Childfree, a community-supported storytelling platform that celebrates childfree lives. For nearly ten years, they’ve shared the lived experiences of folks who are childfree by choice, circumstance or just curious, in order to destigmatise our decisions and create the community we all need. Zoë and James have hosted workshops at EY, Experian and more, and been featured in the New York Times, The Guardian and the BBC. They live and work on the road, from their camper van, Dolly, currently meeting the elders who’ve blazed a trail for the rest of us.
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Zoë Noble
Zoë Noble is the founder, photographer and feminist behind We are Childfree. Frustrated by seeing how non-mothers are judged for their choices, she picked up her camera and started creating portraits of childfree women in her home studio in Berlin. Ten years, hundreds of stories, and thousands of miles later, Zoë continues her advocacy from the road, working out of her camper van, Dolly, and photographing the elders who’ve blazed a trail for the rest of us. Zoë’s work has been featured in New York Times, The Guardian and Vogue.
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James Glazebrook
James Glazebrook is a community storyteller and the co-founder of We are Childfree. Over ten years, he’s edited hundreds of stories, podcasts and portraits that share the lived experiences of folks who are childfree by choice, circumstance or just curious. James is keenly aware of the special stigma reserved for non-mothers, and the unique challenges faced by men who aren’t dads, something he’s spoken about for EY, LBC and BBC Radio 2. He lives and works on the road with We are Childfree founder Zoë Noble, in their camper van, Dolly.