From Personal Experience to Global Advocacy: Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom at Norway’s 1001 Alliance Launch
15 August 2025
At the launch of the Norway’s 1001 Alliance at Arendalsuka, Norway’s largest cross-party political conference, the Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom gave a moving and deeply personal speech on why the earliest days of a baby’s life must be a global policy priority.
Speaking to parliamentarians, health professionals and early years advocates, Dame Andrea recounted the traumatic birth of her first child 30 years ago, her struggle with severe postnatal depression and the lack of formal support available at the time. She reflected on the crucial role played by her family in helping her recover, while recognising that many parents do not have such support.
Recounting her experience as a new mother for the first time, Dame Andrea told the audience:
“I was bowled over by how horrendous it was and then how terrible I felt afterwards for not knowing anything about it and for not knowing what to do to get myself back together again. So many families around the world … don’t have the people I was lucky enough to have … they don’t have that support group.”
Dame Andrea outlined her journey from a successful career in banking into politics, where she worked across party lines to champion early years support. As Health Minister, she was proud to oversee the rollout of The Best Start for Life programme, the UK’s first national policy framework for the first 1001 days, which is now being expanded by the current government.
Introducing her new charity, the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, Dame Andrea explained its mission is to:
1. Fund frontline charities supporting families with new babies.
2. Commission innovative research to deepen our understanding of the first 1001 critical days.
3. Advocate internationally for the importance of the first 1001 days and making sure babies are at the forefront of policymakers’ minds everywhere.
Celebrating Norway as the Foundation’s first international partner, Dame Andrea praised the expertise and commitment of Lena Yri Engelsen, Kristin Holanger Bodenstein and their colleagues, pledging long-term collaboration.
“We can together make the world a better place,” she concluded, “And I really hope and believe we are going to do that.”
You can watch Dame Andrea’s full speech on the Foundation’s YouTube channel here.
For more information:
For all media enquiries, please email media@1001cd.com or call 07813 636 218
About the 1001 Critical Days Foundation
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation is a new charity with a mission that every baby should experience the best start for life. We aim to transform the lives of babies by providing funding for charities delivering frontline support, commissioning international research into how to achieve the best outcomes for babies, and advocating for the importance of the first 1001 days around the world.
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