Live Webchat with Lauren Laverne on Oxfam's Mother Appeal, Thursday 30 January 2 - 3PM

[KateHMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that the legendary Lauren Laverne will be joining us for a webchat on Thursday 30 January in support of Oxfam's new Mother Appeal, which hopes to raise over £10 million. Oxfam says, 'the appeal aims to celebrate mums around the world by giving them the lift they need to empower their families and change the future.' Keep your eyes peeled for more information about the campaign coming up on Mumsnet over the next few weeks or to find out how you can get involved, go to www.oxfam.org.uk/Mother-Appeal.

With a career spanning from 90s indie band Kenickie to broadcasting and journalism, Lauren has had a successful and varied on-screen career presenting TV shows from The Culture Show to Style on Trial and covering music events, including Glastonbury and The Mercury Prize. She now hosts a daily show on BBC 6 Music, is a fashion columnist for The Observer and a regular contributor for Red Magazine. We're very happy to welcome her to Mumsnet.

We hope you'll join us to talk about what we can do to help and support mothers worldwide, to lift them and their families out of poverty for good.

Thanks,
MNHQ

I'd like to do something to help, if I organised an event do you have any tips on what works best, how did you get your friends to attend?

Hi Lauren, sounds like a really good cause. What made you decide to get involved. I'm a busy mum too, how can I get involved?

Hi Lauren

What has interested me most has been research and writings on the impact that poor or no access to sanitary protection has upon school age girls. Research has shown that attendance falls off because they have no way of managing menstrual periods discreetly and hygienically, often in cultures where females may find it harder to be open about periods.

Access to education is transformative. Impediments to this must therefore be a priority especially considering the already weakened position of women in many countries.

Will Oxfam be doing anything about this?

Posted too soon.

How can Oxfam empower Mothers (and Fathers) to help their daughters cope with menstruation and gain access to sanitary protection?

Frantically trying to think of a deep and meanigful question, when all I really want to ask is if I can come out and play with you and Caitlin Moran one day.

Actually, I have a question, you're obviously busy - more than full time job, couple of kids, husband etc, etc. Where do you find the headspace for things like this cause? Or to find new music? Or to form actual opinions? I'm either working or flopping on the sofa in front of Real Housewives on TiVO.

I am also struggling to think of a real question, but wanted to say that Lauren's radio show was a real life line to me when I was at home the first few months with my baby: I am not sure I could have got through it without her friendly voice as company!

I'm also an oxfam volunteer so here is my question: what's the most fabulous thing you've ever found in a charity shop? Or something you've donated & wish you'd hung onto?

Do you shop in charity shops? If so, what's the best thing you've ever bought and why?

Hello Lauren, I'm listening to you right now, very excited you'll be joining us later.

You seem to have a feminist point of view, would you agree? How has this changed/developed since becoming a mother?

This looks like a great cause.

Squee! I think Lauren is fab :)

Lauren, you've done some pretty exciting things in your career. I've recently become a mother myself and thing I struggle with most is never being my own person - especially at the moment while my baby is so small and the little bugger won't take a bottle Did you find it hard to adjust to having to give up certain aspects of your life when you had children? I'm sure you'll probably say it was worth it in the long run :)

Huge fan of Lauren Laverne here, since the early kenickie days (punka is still a favourite tune if mine to dance round the kitchen to).

Lauren, I am really pleased you are using her wellknownness (I hate the word celebrity) to such good ends. A campaign to end poverty in women worldwide is worthy indeed. A little closer to home, I wonder how you view the situation many women find themselves in after they have children, whereby they are the main caregiver and while they may work, it is often at a much lower rate than their partner. How can we stay financially independent at this time, and indeed how can we get back onto a financially indecent footing, having stepped off the full time career ladder in the interests of the family? This situation leaves many women trapped in abusive or unhappy relationships, leading to depression, anxiety and other problems in the longer term.

Thank you!

I'd also like to know what NN Lauren will be using, given that there's a poster with the NN laurenlaverne

Or maybe Lauren is hiding in plain sight

Lauren, listening to you right now, chatting with the silky-smooth Jared Leto. I was outraged awhile back at the possibility of the BBC Trust closing 6Music, and signed the petition. It must be amazing to know you're there not because of your bosses, but because of a dedicated listener-ship. I work from home so 6Music really feels like a lifeline for me!

Anyway. You're a proper northern bird. What would you get from the chippy? (if you say curry sauce I'll be devastated).

Hi Lauren,
I love your show.... been a SAHM and a p/t student for the last 4 years so you have kept me company/ sane while I've (almost!) completed a diploma course and done all the chores involved with small kids!
Give us some of your favourite songs that celebrate motherhood.. which one best describes the dilemma of the modern mum? Which song would you play to raise awareness of this campaign? Who do you think in the music industry are good role models as mothers in that they manage a career and good parenting?

Thanks for all the good music!

Hi Lauren,

Do you think that motherhood has influenced the kinds of jobs that you've been approached for? I've seen you reading some CBeebies bedtime stories recently and I think I heard your dulcet tones narrating on Tee and Mo (who are amazing, by the way!). Do you enjoy doing this kind of work as much as your role as the nations favourite superstar DJ?

Thanks :)

Hi Lauren,

What's the best piece of advice your mum gave to you?

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

There's a LOT in the news about broadcasters who used their position to take advantage of people in years gone by. Is this still a problem in the industry or have you been able to progress without coming up against this sort of thing?

PS - are you a Mumsnetter?

Oh am I allowed another question.... What is Jimmy Carr actually like? Sometimes he really makes me laugh, other times ....

Hi Lauren. Just wondering how you feel about the No More Page 3 campaign, and whether it's something you support?

Lauren's in the building [excited] so we'll be starting shortly.

Hi all,

Lauren has arrived! Everyone please join us in welcoming her, she'll be answering your questions in a minute.

We'd like to add that this is indeed the real Lauren Laverne, thank you so much to the lovely MNer who has relinquished her LaurenLaverne username!

HELLO EVERYONE I'M HERE A BIT EARLY (yes I'm THAT COOL) so I'm just going to start now, OK? Right. Let's go.

Sits waiting expectantly whilst listening to Calvin Harris, Mazzy Star and Trampled By Turtles- Lauren has to have a musical accompaniment.

Yes, of course!

@HotCrossPun

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Can I ask a nosy question Lauren... I think I seen you say you use Mumsnet - are you a MN lurker or do you actually have a username and post (obviously not trying to out your username anything )

And congrats on the Oxfam campaign - it's a great cause and we're very happy to be involved.