A WARRINGTON-based family support charity is encouraging mums to reach out for support if they need it as part of a campaign for Maternal Mental Health Week (May 2-8).
Home-Start Warrington is raising awareness among local mums to let them know that in addition to clinical services, vital peer support is available through the charity’s network of confidential, trained volunteers.
Ellie Harrison, CEO, OF Home-Start Warrington said: “For Maternal Mental Health Week we are encouraging families to talk about their wellbeing and not be afraid to ask for help. There is still a real stigma around talking openly about parental mental health. We would love to encourage parents and carers who are finding things difficult to take the brave decision to reach out for support.
“ We would love to encourage families who are finding things difficult to take the brave decision to reach out for support. Parenting is hard. It can be wonderful but it can also be lonely and frustrating. That is why Home-Start Warrington is ready to stand alongside families when they need us most with compassionate, non-judgemental support.”
The charity supports parental mental health with trained home-visiting volunteers and a range of activities including playgroups, singing groups and forest schools.
Alex Corgier, perinatal lead for Home-Start UK, said: “Home-Start takes a vital role of non-judgemental peer support in people’s home and through group support. This year’s theme of Maternal Mental Health Week is fitting as it is ‘The Power of Connections’. We know only too well how not being able to see family and friends has been difficult throughout the
pandemic. Home-Start harnesses the power of human connection to support families facing mental health challenges in the perinatal period. The excellent support our staff and trained volunteers provide has an amazing impact on families – because we truly are stronger together.
“We understand the value of face-to-face connections, especially for first-time mums. Reaching out for support either to family and friends, a professional such as your midwife or health visitor, or getting in touch with a local community organisation such as Home-Start could be the first step to make a positive difference. The impact on families can be amazing – because we truly are stronger together. Meantime, we want to remind
mums to remember they are brilliant, remind them to take breaks, remember self-care, know that parenting is tough and most of all remember that parenting is not always the picture-perfect lifestyle often portrayed on social media.”
To find out how to access support from the local Home-Start follow the link: https://www.home-start.org.uk/find-your-nearest-home-start
