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Is it really possible to have maternity leave when you freelance?

Writer's picture: Karen EdwardsKaren Edwards

This is the question I have been asking myself for the last few months.


I have been torn between spending lots of quality time with Margot (the newest edition to our family) and working on various event projects.


When you work for yourself, especially in events, I believe you need to stay visible and be active, so potential clients can find you and can see what you have been working on. During my maternity leave, I have worked on a several projects, with the support of some fantastic industry professionals.


A ‘festival in a day’!


I was working with the client to deliver a summer party, outside in a field! Luckily, the set-up days and the event day were dry and sunny – so no muddy fields to deal with.


This event was such fun to work on, thinking of all the activities that guests might want to get involved in; dancing, DJ, face painting, gin bar, team gangs and food glorious food! And being able to plan and co-ordinate the event (with the help of some talented people), including Matt Glover, Louise Connor and Mel Deakin!


I even managed to take Margot with me.


She loved her first event experience!


An ‘outdoor food festival’!


I was working with the client is deliver an outdoor food festival. The event is extremely popular with food fanatics, families and people looking to try some new cuisine!


The pressure was on to plan and deliver an event on a site not normally used for an event, at a time of year when crew and equipment were in high demand.


All operational and logistical aspects needed to be arranged; site set up and services, exhibitor management, communication to exhibitors and suppliers, health & safety, EMSP and on-site delivery.


The days were long but seeing a successful event and happy faces makes it all worthwhile.

Again, I was surrounded by some super talented people including Lucy Mellor and Jack Saward.


Margot was with me on this event. She is definitely a people person and loved all the new faces she was seeing and loved being on site!


The lesson I have learnt is that events is definitely in my blood, it is what I do and how people know me… to have a complete break during maternity leave was never an option for me, I enjoy working too much! What I needed to do was find the right events to work on (for me and Margot) and find the support of talented individuals who I could rely on.


The events industry is after all about working together for the good of the client and ensuring that and event is delivered to the highest quality.

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