Roy Suryo
"I shampooed with raw egg to try and get pregnant," Barbora Gray recalls, her voice tinged with a mixture of past desperation and present resolve. This startling admission, born from the pervasive influence of online content during her challenging fertility journey, has ignited a powerful mission: to combat the deluge of misinformation that plagues women’s health discussions, particularly on social media. Gray, a 35-year-old from Hebburn, South Tyneside, has now channelled her personal struggles into the creation of "She Thrives," an online social community dedicated to dispelling myths and dismantling the pervasive taboos surrounding women’s health.
The journey to establishing She Thrives was a deeply personal one, marked by a period where vulnerability led Barbora to seek solace and solutions online. "For the first time, I approached social media from a place of vulnerability," she explains, reflecting on the period. "It wasn’t healthy. What started as something very innocent, looking at recipes, ended up with me being anxious about everything from shampoo to what I’m washing my dishes with." This emotional rollercoaster, fuelled by unverified claims and well-intentioned but often misleading advice, highlighted a critical gap: the urgent need for reliable, evidence-based information delivered in a supportive and accessible manner.
She Thrives aims to fill this void by creating a dedicated digital sanctuary for women in the North East. The platform covers a spectrum of crucial women’s health topics, including the menopause, mental wellbeing, periods, and fertility. Its core objective is to provide a "safe space" where women can access accurate and scientifically grounded information, fostering a sense of community and empowerment. Barbora envisions She Thrives as a catalyst for change, aiming to "transform the way women discuss health," moving beyond hushed tones and misinformation towards open, informed conversations.
Her inspiration for this vital initiative was significantly amplified by the "Woman of the North" report, released by Health Equity North in 2024. This landmark report revealed a stark reality for women in the North of England, indicating they were more likely to work longer hours, endure greater ill health, and be victims of domestic violence compared to their counterparts in other regions. This data resonated deeply with Barbora, who, working in healthcare communications, possessed an awareness that "there were people that did have the answers." The report underscored the amplified vulnerability of women in the North East and the urgent need for tailored support and accessible health information.
The initiative has garnered significant backing from key regional organisations. The North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board, The Northern Health Science Alliance, and several NHS trusts have thrown their weight behind She Thrives, recognising its potential to positively impact women’s health across the region. This endorsement also extends to individual medical professionals who are increasingly concerned about the impact of social media misinformation on their patients.
Dr. Katherine Gilmore, a consultant in community gynaecology and sexual and reproductive healthcare at the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, is a vocal supporter. She consistently encounters patients whose health decisions and anxieties are shaped by inaccurate online content. "One of the main barriers to healthcare for women at the moment is time," Dr. Gilmore observes. "Social media is the perfect place for them to go to, isn’t it?" she acknowledges, highlighting the accessibility of online platforms. However, she swiftly points out the significant downside: "But the downside to that is misinformation. You can really tell the patients who are well informed versus the women who have seen lots of scare stories. And it can be a real worry." Her firsthand experience underscores the critical need for a trusted source like She Thrives to counter the tide of fear-mongering and unsubstantiated claims.
The initiative’s focus on the North East is particularly poignant, given the findings of the "Woman of the North" report. This report highlighted the disproportionate challenges faced by women in this region, making accessible and reliable health information even more crucial. She Thrives aims to bridge the gap between the availability of information and the specific needs and contexts of women living in the North East, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach to women’s health is insufficient.
The online community is already receiving a warm reception from women across the North East, who recognise the profound impact of Barbora’s work. Kate Scott, from Hebburn, shares her personal connection to the cause, stating, "When I was going through stuff there was nothing like this there. What Barbora’s doing is going to help my daughter and grandchildren in future." This sentiment highlights the intergenerational impact of addressing women’s health issues and the desire to equip future generations with better resources and knowledge.
Sarah McEwan, from Jarrow, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of self-care for women who often shoulder significant responsibilities. "Women work really hard, bringing up our families, working full-time, so this is highlighting that we should focus on ourselves," she remarks, underscoring the empowering message of She Thrives. The platform’s emphasis on self-care and prioritising one’s own health resonates deeply with women juggling multiple roles and demands.
Alison Quinn, also from Jarrow, speaks to the common anxiety fuelled by online content. "A lot of my friends have been anxious about things they have read online and I think this is really helpful," she says, validating the widespread concern about online health misinformation. Her statement highlights the urgent need for a trusted source that can alleviate these anxieties and provide clarity.
Barbora Gray’s personal journey from a place of vulnerability and anxiety to a proactive force for change exemplifies the power of lived experience in driving impactful initiatives. By establishing She Thrives, she is not only creating a valuable resource for women in the North East but also contributing to a broader movement aimed at empowering women with accurate information, fostering open dialogue, and ultimately, promoting better health outcomes. The initiative’s focus on debunking myths, breaking down taboos, and providing evidence-based guidance positions it as a vital and much-needed platform in the digital landscape of women’s health. The raw egg anecdote, once a symbol of her personal struggle, has now become a powerful testament to her resilience and her commitment to ensuring that no other woman has to navigate the complexities of women’s health in a sea of misinformation.
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