Playing Safe: Why toys shouldn’t cost our children’s health – Lunchtime Webinar Event

 Wednesday June 11th | 12:00 noon –1:15pm BST | Free | Online

Join our guest speakers, this Green Baby Day, to explore the hidden dangers in children's toys, and what we can do to protect all children. We will also explore the intersection of toxic toys, health, race, class and environmental justice.

Toys help children learn, play, and explore the world. But some toys, particularly those available from online marketplaces contain harmful chemicals that can pose serious health risks to babies and children.

Speakers

Ms Karen Joash - Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Scientific Advisor to Global Black Maternal Health, and Tommy's Charity

Africa (Vitamin D Project) – Author, Parent & Conscious Content Creator

Dr Anna Watson - Director of Policy & Advocacy - CHEM Trust

Moderated by Ivié Itoje - Green Baby Programme Manager

12:00–12:15pm – Green Baby Briefing: What’s in Our Toys?
A short expert presentation on toxic chemicals (like phthalates, Bisphenol, and flame retardants), a look at UK vs EU safety standards, and an introduction to the Green Baby campaign..

12:20–1:15pm – Panel: Toxic Toys & Environmental Justice
Moderated by Ivié (Green Baby Programme Manager), we will hear from our panel of experts, campaigners, and community voices on the intersection of toxic toys, health, race, class and environmental justice. We'll explore how toxic chemicals in toys impact families and what change is needed.

Includes live Q&A.

About our speaker panel:

Africa Daley-Clarke is an art director, author, and founder of the lifestyle platform @thevitamindproject.

Based on the Kent coast with her family, Africa's work explores the intersection of intentional design, cultural heritage, and sustainable living -often spotlighting reclaimed and second-hand materials, and a grounded, personal aesthetic. A long-standing advocate for social justice, Africa uses her platform to speak candidly about racial equity, housing, and care -weaving visual storytelling with thoughtful, often radical commentary. Her creative practice is shaped by her experience as a mother of four and her belief that every child deserves a safe, healthy environment -regardless of race, class or postcode. Her debut book, You Are Home, is a reflection of this ethos -part memoir, part manifesto- offering a nourishing, reflective approach to creating supportive domestic spaces. She also hosts the podcast Unbought & Unbothered, spotlighting the realities of self-employment, creativity and care work.

Dr Anna Watson, Director of Policy and Advocacy, CHEM Trust

Dr Anna Watson joined CHEM Trust in 2018. She is a scientist by background, and has a PhD in Freshwater Ecology. Before joining CHEM Trust , Anna worked at Friends of the Earth (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) for almost 20 years, working on a host of environmental issues, including food, waste and resources, land-use planning, community energy, and more. She leads CHEM Trust’s advocacy and communications work and is currently very involved in the campaign to ban PFAS, the forever chemicals, and hazardous chemicals from consumer products.

Ms Karen Joash, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology & Scientifics, Scientific Adviser to Global Black Maternal Health & Tommy’s Charity

Ms Karen Joash is an obstetrician and gynaecologist who is passionate about delivering high quality care to all women. She has been working in obstetrics and gynaecology for over ten years and is well known for being a skilled labour ward practitioner. Her aim is to help women achieve the type of delivery which is tailored to their wants and needs. With her holistic approach and knowledge of both low risk and high risk conditions she is able to provide this for all women. In her NHS role she is the lead for postnatal care understanding the birth journey doesn't stop at delivery and support in this period can be crucial. She is also the lead for maternity guidelines at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and is principled on the importance of safe practice. Her passion for excellence in care led to her appointment as training programme director for doctors in postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology in north west London and she oversees training in seven London hospitals. In addition she is the divisional director for women's and children's at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Her qualifications include BSc (Hons), MSc, MBBS, MRCOG and PGCert.

Kindly supported by: The Savitri Trust and Natracare 

#GreenBabyDay #SafeToysNow #ToxicFreeToysNow #ToxicToy