There are lots of sources of support if you are experiencing mental health issues during pregnancy or after baby arrives.

You can always talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor. They will be able to advise, and signpost you to sources of support.

The Let’s Talk Service

Let’s Talk offers talking therapies to adults in Gloucestershire who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. Find out more via the Let’s Talk website.

The Perinatal Mental Health Team

Find out more about the Perinatal Mental Health Team via our specialist services page or by visiting the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust website.

PANDAS Foundation

PANDAS offer support and advice to any parent who is experiencing a pre or post natal mental health illness. Visit the PANDAS website.

Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritans free any time, from any phone on 116 123.

Local support and community groups

Home Start

Antenatal and postnatal support groups and 1:1 home visiting by trained volunteers support across the county.

Dad Matters

To support dads to have the best possible relationship with their families. It aims to:

  • Support dads with their wellbeing and mental health
  • Encourage dads’ participation in services that have traditionally been targeted for mums
  • Provide peer support for dads

Contact Lee Houghton: 01453 821340 or 07515 678454, dadmatters@homestartsd.org
www.dadmatters.org.uk/gloucestershire.

Invisible Thread

For mums (and their babies) with low-level mental health needs. Wellbeing / arts groups run for 6 weeks. Contact Cat Boot: contact@cantsitstill.net

Marvellous Mums

A women’s-only perinatal support group, mindful of cultural and religious needs of mothers from ethnic minorities.

The drop-in sessions are based at Al Ashraf Nursery. Workshop & courses are at The Friendship Cafe or Bartongate Children’s Centre.

Sessions are user-led with courses provided according to needs eg paediatric first aid, parenting, mindfulness & baby massage. Guest health professionals are invited regularly to provide advice & workshops including Physiotherapists, Dieticians, Midwives and Health Visitors. For more details, contact Razeya Mohamedy: 07724 762134 or email mums@thefriendshipcafe.com

Mothers in Mind Gloucestershire

For mums with perinatal mental health issues. Peer support drop-in groups and one-2-one support. Support women by creating spaces, both face-to-face and online, that feel non-judgmental and nurturing. The trained group facilitators are mothers with lived experience of perinatal mental health issues, who will offer practical and emotional support.

Mothers in Mind is part of Home-Start in Gloucestershire.
Stroud and Gloucester: 01453 821085.
Tewkesbury, Cheltenham & Forest: 07584 472025
www.homestartsd.org/mothers-in-mind-drop-in-group

Mums the Word – Nelson Trust

For vulnerable women in the perinatal period such as those who are, or are in recovery from, misusing drugs or alcohol or have been in the criminal justice system. Aims to address practical needs and build a safe emotional space for you to be able gain support from peers, and build confidence in parenting.

Contact – Georgie Barron, Georgie.barron@nelsontrust.com

Mums with autism – Independence Trust

For women with autism in pregnancy or with babies up to 2 years of age. Sessions on topics such as baby massage, self-care, bounce and rhyme and themed activities. There are also opportunities to meet other mums, listen to guest speakers and speak with facilitators one to one, as well as accessing information, guidance and advice.

Contact Pippa Baker-Walsh on 07816 649170 or email Pippa.baker-walsh@independencetrust.co.uk

Perinatal support group – CCP Cheltenham

A women’s only perinatal support group mindful of cultural and religious needs of mothers from ethnic minorities.
For women and babies up to 2 years.

1.5-hour weekly sessions on Mondays (term time only) at Gardeners Lane Children’s Centre, Cheltenham.

Contact – Ali Kettle on 07394 566835 or ali.kettle@ccp.org.uk

‘Reconnect’ – Home Start Cotswolds

Wellbeing group for mums  and babies up to 2 years in Bourton on the Water. Supporting mums with mild to moderate mental health needs

A 10-week course, taking place on Thursday mornings from 30th October 2021, and March 2022.

Call 01285 885391 or email office@home-start-cotswolds.org.uk

Shine

For mums with postnatal depression. Groups in Cirencester, Fairford and Dursley.

12-week courses of creative therapy, pilates, nutrition and teaching coping strategies, with a creche for babies. Must be booked on. Shine also holds weekly drop-ins for mums to chat and share, and bring babies – no need to book. www.shine-support.org

Contact Lauraine Cheesman on 07886 570933 or laurainecheesman@yahoo.co.uk

The Baby Makers – The Women’s Art Activation System

For women in pregnancy, and midwives. We will later be offering a separate group for women with babes in arms, and midwives.

Dates TBC

The Baby Makers is an opportunity to improve wellbeing through community in the perinatal time. It is also for midwives to take part for wellbeing and spend two hours in company with the women. This creates a different relationship and builds trust between care provider and those in their care. We make things together and everyone can bring their own project, or we can support participants to learn and make. All materials and refreshments are provided.

Contact Sarah Dixon and Sharon Bennett: waas@thewaas.org; Facebook/Instagram @the_waas; https://thewaas.org. Please do get in touch if you are interested in the group and would like to know more and receive announcements about dates.

Bereavement Support Group

For those who have experienced a loss in pregnancy, birth or postnatally.

Takes place on the first Friday of each month, 7:30-pm – 9:30pm at Pineholt Village Hall, Hucclecote. Call Nikki Dobson on 07799 060328 or Laura Davies on 07872 023500 for more details

Footsteps Counselling & Care

Footsteps Counselling & Care is a charitable organisation offering compassionate counselling and care for anyone in the Gloucestershire area affected by pregnancy-related issues, the loss of a baby for any reason, traumatic birth, fertility problems and pregnancy-related mental health issues. Phone or face to face appointments available.

footstepscandc.org.uk