Red-y To Talk
A participatory digital storytelling project empowering women to share menstrual health experiences.
The Project
Red-y to Talk was a digital storytelling project designed to challenge menstrual stigma, reduce health inequalities, and amplify the lived experiences of women and people who menstruate. I was approached by Dr. Jackie Maybin, a Reader and Consultant Gynaecologist at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian. She had come across my work through the Young Academy of Scotland, where we were both members, and was interested in exploring storytelling as a tool for impact.
Together we co-designed a creative, participatory process grounded in the digital storytelling methodology pioneered by the Center for Digital Storytelling, a process I am formally trained in. The aim was to support women living with under-researched menstrual conditions to share their stories with agency, authenticity, and power.
My Role
I led the full design and delivery of the digital storytelling journey. I created and facilitated a four-part workshop series that took participants through story development, script writing, voiceover recording, image selection, and simple video editing. Each woman authored her story in full, retaining creative control and choosing how and what to share.
At each step, I held space with care and presence, supporting participants to reflect, express, and create in a safe and welcoming environment. What emerged was more than just a creative process. The group found solidarity, insight, and strength in being witnessed, listened to, and understood.
I also facilitated the project’s culmination: a public screening and discussion event with researchers, other women, and policy stakeholders. The event was moving, connective, and deeply validating. It formally marked the end of our storytelling journey together.
The Journey
Briefing the participants before we began
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Three, 2.5 hour in-person workshops covering storyboarding, scripting, recording & video creation
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1:1 feedback sessions
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A screening event to show the stories with a facilitated discussion
The Outcome
Three powerful digital stories were created and celebrated at the final screening event. Each one offered a rare and authentic window into the reality of living with menstrual health conditions.
One year later, the stories are still rippling outward.
They were screened at the Scottish Parliament as part of a cross-party group on women’s health
They are used in medical education to foster more compassionate, person-centered care
They have been shared on NHS and University of Edinburgh platforms to reach a wider public audience
Kate’s Story
“This project showed just how impactful digital storytelling can be. These stories continue to connect, teach, and advocate for change long after the final workshop ended.”
― Lily Asch
Testimonials
Let’s work together?
This project reaffirmed everything I believe about the power of storytelling, especially when grounded in trauma-informed and participatory methods.
Digital storytelling offers a rare kind of transformation. It allows people to connect with themselves, find language for their lived experience, and shape something meaningful to share with others. In this case, it did even more. It sparked new conversations across research, medicine, and policy. And it made visible the voices of people who are so often left unheard.