Saima, 33, East London

Saima has used Mum’s Matter at Havering, Barking and Dagenham Mind. While she is close to her Mum her experiences of motherhood are very different. She was referred to Mums Matter by a health visitor and Newham mental health services when she was pregnant with her second son and struggling.

Saima says, “Being a mum and alone in society is the worst loneliness. So just having somebody there, it was like a little village to check up on you and remind you that you matter and to take care of yourself. So I'd say it wasn't like your traditional therapy, it was more a way to build a little community and all the activities were centered on that. I've certainly got a little tribe that I can communicate with. Before Mums Matter I had nothing.”

Mums Matter is an early intervention service to empower mums to take control of their health and wellbeing. Practical and emotional support is given to mums using a holistic approach, and the 8 week course was originally designed by mums for mums experiencing perinatal mental health challenges.