Advice please: Support Group for Mothers - Now Tuesday Mornings

[dulwichpsychology]

Dear all

I have set up a free informal support group for mothers with children under 2 which I have been advertising on the forum as well as two other local sites and via twitter. Uptake has been very slow even though I presume that potential demand may be high?

I am hoping to dedicate some time to post information about the groups to local health visitors and community midwives, but I am wondering if anyone has some ideas on how to spread the word about the group.

Here is some further info about the group:

Free drop in support group for mothers with babies or toddlers under 2. Informal group where a range of topics will be covered: including birth trauma, postnatal depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and lonely.

Dates: First Tuesday of every month (Next dates 04/03/14 and 01/04/14)

Time: 9-10.30am

Please feel free to reply via the thread, via PM or to my email [email protected]

Thank you!

[EmilyPie]

While I think this is a good idea I'm not sure about the timing. Very close to bedtime and particularly difficult if people are having sleep issues, or their partner works long hours, both of which may predispose people to loneliness etc. Also if I have successfully got both children to bed by 7.30 on a Friday I just want to have a glass of wine and talk about non child related stuff, if I'm not too exhausted. Hope that helps

[Saffron]

Definitely worth letting HVs and GPs know about this. After my daughter was born in 2010, I was told there was a ~13 week wait to see a therapist on the NHS, and I was not offered any interim support!

[Fiona80]

Hi, I had the same thoughts as Emilypie. It's a really great thing you're offering for the community but for me the time of it makes it impossible.

[dulwichpsychology]

Thank you for teh advice re- time of day. I completely agree that this makes it more diffcult for some mums to attend. unfortunately due to my work committments taht is the only time I can offer at present. Moreover, it enables those mums who are back at work to attend. In a couple of months time I may be able to offer a daytime slot, but this would then mean that workign mums will be unable to attend.

Saffron - yes the NHS has very long waiting times and this can be a big problem for many mums. Also some mums may not meet criteria for NHS servcies but would still like some support.

[Jo'sEnglish]

Agree with the timings. I would have been very grateful for something like this after the birth of my son but wouldn't have wanted to come on a Friday evening and would have appreciated something during the day I could have brought him too. Definitely try letting HVs and community midwifes know. A leaflet popped into all the other stuff you get given would be great.

Incidentally, I got seen by the women's health counsellor at Lewisham after having my son within about 2 weeks of calling them and I think you can self-refer (although it took me quite a long time to be told such a person existed!) They have been brilliant too, both talking to me after the birth of my son and helping me now I am pregnant again.

[dulwichpsychology]

Next group on 07/02/14 at 7.30pm

The ladies who attended wanted me to feedback that the group is very informal and that it is for anybody who is finding an aspect of motherhood challenging. It is a non-judgmental space to discuss any issue that you are struggling with.

Update: I will be offering a monthly support group on a weekday morning from April.

[Belle]

I'm past this stage, but for the purposes of feedback I know I'd personally have preferred to come without my baby to this...I guess it'll vary a bit.

[dulwichpsychology]

Thank you Belle. Yes so far nobody has brought their baby, but I am assuming that more mums will bring baby if I offer daytime support groups. So it is an option for mums who want to access support and who need to bring baby, maybe because they don't have anyone else to look after baby or because they are breastfeeding.

[dulwichpsychology]

I am very sorry to have to cancel the support group this Friday at 7.30pm due to a lack of interest. Following the helpful comments from forum members and now that I no longer work for the NHS on Tuesdays, I have taken the decision to offer the group on the first Tuesday of every month from 9-10.30am. I am hoping this will enable more mothers to benefit! I will post a reminder closer to the time.

Thank you again for all your comments and encouragement!

[dulwichpsychology]

NEXT GROUP ON TUESDAY 4TH MARCH AT 9AM

New Mothers Support Group - FREE

Drop in support group for mothers with babies or toddlers under 2 facilitated by local clinical psychologist who specialises in perinatal difficulties. The aim of the group is to provide a comfortable setting in which new mothers can share experiences and feelings about the times they are finding challenging. It is a very informal group where a range of topics can be covered: including birth trauma, postnatal depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and lonely. What we talk about depends on who attends and you do not have to have experience of post natal depression to attend. Tea and biscuits provided. You are welcome to bring your baby to the group.

Dates: First Tuesday of every month (Next dates 4/03/2014 and 01/04/14)

Time: 9am-10.30am

Location: Lordship Lane, London, SE22 8JU

Please contact Dr Christine Langhoff (Clinical Psychologist) by PM, Email or phone, for further details and to reserve a place.

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 07816 382810

[kishlight]

This is a great idea, I am Kish's other half and ran groups like this in Southwark as a coordinator for 10 years,As a suggestion contact local Childrens Centres and also put a notice up on Netmums Southwark. All Childrens Centres have Core commissioned services attached to their reach area such as Surestart Midwife, H/V etc.if you get a link with the outreach workers of each centre they should be able to put you in touch with professionals who can visit and offer support and advice as well as the obvious which is they can let their database know that you exist.They will be able to signpost and refer to the other services in locality through Early help Team if appropriate. If you would like a flyer done for your group I will do it free of charge if you provide the content.Its easier to get Childrens Centres involved if you have this...I will also give you advice if you need.

[dulwichpsychology]

kish's other half - Thank you so much! Yes I have started to get in touch with childrens centres, midwife and health visitor teams. Unfortunately I have not had the time to dedicate to it that it needs, but now that I have reduced my NHS working hours, I can get on to this. I have just started putting things together for a flyer so any help would be much appreciated and any guidance/advice on linking with childrens centres would be fantastic. I will send you a PM in the next few days to maybe have a chat next week?

[dulwichpsychology]

Next Tuesday 4th March

[dulwichpsychology]

Tomorrow morning 9-10.30am. Please PM or email me if you would like to attend. Babies welcome!

[dulwichpsychology]

Next group on Tuesday 3rd June from 10-11.15am. Please contact me if you wish to book a free place.

[sillywoman]

hi dulwichpsychlogy,

are you still hosting it in Lordship Lane?

SW x

[birnehelene]

...

[dulwichpsychology]

Yes I am. x