Mums’ Zone launches support and wellbeing groups for new mums in Slough
Slough Borough Council, in association with Get Berkshire Active and Places Leisure, are delighted to announce the launch of Mums’ Zone, the new holistic health and wellbeing programme for mums and their babies in Slough from September.
Working closely with the council’s early years team, public health team and a variety of local partners, the programme is designed to address some of the support needed for mothers in their perinatal period, with a focus on improving mental health.
According to NHS England, perinatal mental ill health affects up to 20 per cent of women during pregnancy and in their first year after giving birth* Research also shows that the effects of the mother’s mental health both while pregnant and after birth, on their children’s mental health can have an impact years into the future (Source NHS). With a strong link between maternal mental health and children’s mental health, Mums’ Zone provides a service to support mums.
Tim Howells, public health programme officer at Slough Borough Council, said:
“A project like Mums’ Zone is a perfect platform to support mums with their physical and emotional wellbeing. This project is a fantastic example of taking a whole systems approach to supporting health through working with various partners with different qualities to provide a fully rounded health and wellbeing programme.”
Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This innovative project helps to support mums and takes a holistic view on mental and physical health. This programme is running for 26 weeks for two hours a week so will provide a regular space for mums to meet, talk and enjoy gentle physical exercise and receive support.”
Cathy Carr, Healthy Communities Manager at Get Berkshire Active and Mums’ Zone Programme Manager, said: “I developed Mums’ Zone as it is very close to my heart having experienced many struggles in motherhood. I felt there was a gap for mums with young babies where they can find a place for some gentle physical activity as well as relaxing, meeting other local mums and receiving a variety of wellbeing support. Having a baby brings many new challenges for mums and being able to meet and talk to like-minded mums and have a weekly opportunity to do this is very important in the first year of a new baby.”
Get Berkshire Active and Places Leisure developed Mums’ Zone in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University who have a wealth of expertise in the field of perinatal care. The University will be providing the research and evaluation of the programme.
The programme is funded by the Sports Council Trust Company and supported by Slough and Wokingham Borough Councils.
What can mums expect to see at the Mums’ Zone sessions? It’s a very informal get-together of local mums with similar age babies (non-walkers). Within the relaxing atmosphere of children’s centres, with healthy refreshments and snacks, mums will have a chance to take part in some yoga and breathing activity, talk about day-to-day issues, get advice from professionals on important topics and learn how to balance the new life of a busy parent with time for self-care.
The programme will run two-hour sessions a week for 26 weeks in two of Slough’s children’s centres.
Mondays - Monksfield Way children's centre, Monksfield Way, Slough, SL2 1QX
From Monday 9 September
9.45am-12.15pm
Friday's - Penn Road children's centre, Penn Road, Slough, SL2 1PG
From Friday 13 September
9.45am-12.15pm
The programme will be supported by a small group of ‘Mums’ Zone Ambassadors’ who will be a weekly friendly face and support for the mums.
Get Berkshire Active welcome more women to join as Mums’ Zone Ambassadors. All volunteers will be offered training and support. Contact Get Berkshire Active on Cathy Carr – cathy.carr@getberkshireactive.org or call: 01628 472851 for more information.
Working closely with the council’s early years team, public health team and a variety of local partners, the programme is designed to address some of the support needed for mothers in their perinatal period, with a focus on improving mental health.
According to NHS England, perinatal mental ill health affects up to 20 per cent of women during pregnancy and in their first year after giving birth* Research also shows that the effects of the mother’s mental health both while pregnant and after birth, on their children’s mental health can have an impact years into the future (Source NHS). With a strong link between maternal mental health and children’s mental health, Mums’ Zone provides a service to support mums.
Tim Howells, public health programme officer at Slough Borough Council, said:
“A project like Mums’ Zone is a perfect platform to support mums with their physical and emotional wellbeing. This project is a fantastic example of taking a whole systems approach to supporting health through working with various partners with different qualities to provide a fully rounded health and wellbeing programme.”
Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This innovative project helps to support mums and takes a holistic view on mental and physical health. This programme is running for 26 weeks for two hours a week so will provide a regular space for mums to meet, talk and enjoy gentle physical exercise and receive support.”
Cathy Carr, Healthy Communities Manager at Get Berkshire Active and Mums’ Zone Programme Manager, said: “I developed Mums’ Zone as it is very close to my heart having experienced many struggles in motherhood. I felt there was a gap for mums with young babies where they can find a place for some gentle physical activity as well as relaxing, meeting other local mums and receiving a variety of wellbeing support. Having a baby brings many new challenges for mums and being able to meet and talk to like-minded mums and have a weekly opportunity to do this is very important in the first year of a new baby.”
Get Berkshire Active and Places Leisure developed Mums’ Zone in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University who have a wealth of expertise in the field of perinatal care. The University will be providing the research and evaluation of the programme.
The programme is funded by the Sports Council Trust Company and supported by Slough and Wokingham Borough Councils.
What can mums expect to see at the Mums’ Zone sessions? It’s a very informal get-together of local mums with similar age babies (non-walkers). Within the relaxing atmosphere of children’s centres, with healthy refreshments and snacks, mums will have a chance to take part in some yoga and breathing activity, talk about day-to-day issues, get advice from professionals on important topics and learn how to balance the new life of a busy parent with time for self-care.
The programme will run two-hour sessions a week for 26 weeks in two of Slough’s children’s centres.
Mondays - Monksfield Way children's centre, Monksfield Way, Slough, SL2 1QX
From Monday 9 September
9.45am-12.15pm
Friday's - Penn Road children's centre, Penn Road, Slough, SL2 1PG
From Friday 13 September
9.45am-12.15pm
The programme will be supported by a small group of ‘Mums’ Zone Ambassadors’ who will be a weekly friendly face and support for the mums.
Get Berkshire Active welcome more women to join as Mums’ Zone Ambassadors. All volunteers will be offered training and support. Contact Get Berkshire Active on Cathy Carr – cathy.carr@getberkshireactive.org or call: 01628 472851 for more information.
