Birth Story Listeners offers low-level 'listening support & encouragement' for Mums in North Wales who have had a traumatic experience of childbirth, or who may have developed difficulties with their mental health following the birth of their baby e.g. anxiety, OCD, Post-natal depression, Post-traumatic stress, Psychosis etc. We also welcome Mums who have not been formally diagnosed with a mental health condition, but just know they are not feeling right after the birth & who would welcome some additional support. Mums can self-refer to the Project & join our friendly facebook group, meet with me one-to-one, or meet with other Mums through Peer Support. Health Professionals can refer Mums to us too if they think a Mum in their care needs some extra support. Birth Story Listeners is not designed to replace professional support, but to enhance it through the support of other Mums who have had similar experiences.
In 2013 I received £5000 of personal funding from a Christian Trust Fund to allow me to explore my dream of offering this support (following years of experience of offering support through similar groups online.) I gathered a small Advisory Group & put all the relevant policies, procedures, safeguarding & insurance in place to found BSL. Unfortunately my funding has now come to an end & I would hate to lose this service & the connections made, simply through lack of funds.
Donating to Birth Story Listeners would allow me to continue to offer support locally to Mums who have been affected by the birth of their baby. It would help me to continue offering online & local support, combatting isolation & loneliness, & giving hope that recovery is possible. It would allow me to offer social meet-up's, & to visit local baby & toddler groups to promote mental health & to listen to Mums birth experiences in the community. It would also help me to continue campaigning for Maternity improvements within our Health Board & to write material to raise awareness.