Business Details
45 Years
experience
Maternal Mental Health Support in Bristol
Mothers for Mothers was founded in 1981 by courageous women and birthing people who experienced maternal mental illness firsthand. Recognising the lack of peer support at the time, they established a helpline at Bristol Maternity Hospital, pioneering a model that remains central to our work. Over four decades, we have expanded our services to include home visits, counselling, peer support groups, antenatal support, and SEND-specific assistance, operating across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. Our team, composed entirely of individuals with lived experience of maternal mental health challenges, delivers these services with deep empathy and understanding.We have received prestigious accolades, including the Queens Award for Voluntary Service and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance Perinatal Peer Support Award, affirming our commitment to supporting families from pregnancy until their youngest child starts school. Our mission focuses on reducing social isolation, improving emotional resilience, and raising awareness of maternal mental health needs while ensuring every familys story is heard and valued.
Services
Helpline Support
Home Visits
Peer Support Groups
Antenatal Support
SEND Support
Counselling Services
Postnatal PTSD Support
Maternal OCD Guidance
Birth Trauma Recovery
Postpartum Psychosis Support
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We provide peer support led by individuals with lived experience of maternal mental illness.
- Our services span pregnancy until your youngest child starts school.
- We offer tailored SEND support for navigating educational and healthcare systems.
- We have operated continuously since 1981, adapting to evolving community needs.
- Our team includes certified counsellors and art psychotherapists.
Associations and certifications
- Queens Award for Voluntary Service
- Maternal Mental Health Alliance Perinatal Peer Support Award
What people say
Lifeline during postnatal depression
Non-judgmental listening
Expert SEND guidance
Empathetic counsellors
Accessible home visits
Services
Helpline Support
Our confidential helpline offers immediate emotional support from 10am to 9pm, Monday to Friday. Staffed by trained volunteers with lived experience of maternal mental health challenges, this service provides a safe space to discuss perinatal anxiety, depression, birth trauma, and other mental health concerns. The helpline serves Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire residents, connecting callers with additional support services when needed.
Home Visits
Specially trained volunteers provide one-to-one home visits for mothers experiencing severe postnatal mental health difficulties. This service prioritises individuals struggling with social isolation, offering practical support and emotional companionship in the comfort of their own homes. Available across Bristol and surrounding areas, visits help build confidence and create vital support networks for vulnerable families.
Peer Support Groups
Weekly peer-led groups create safe spaces for sharing experiences and receiving emotional support. Sessions cover antenatal anxiety, postnatal depression, birth trauma, and maternal OCD, with specialist groups for fathers and partners. Operating in multiple locations across Bristol, these groups foster community connections while providing practical coping strategies developed by individuals with lived experience of perinatal mental illness.
Antenatal Support
Specialist antenatal support addresses anxiety and mental health concerns during pregnancy. Our experienced volunteers help expectant mothers develop coping strategies, understand perinatal mental health issues, and prepare for postnatal challenges. This service includes one-to-one sessions and group workshops, all delivered by individuals with personal experience of maternal mental health difficulties.
SEND Support
Tailored support helps families navigate the complexities of special educational needs and disabilities. Our experienced volunteers assist with understanding SEND systems, accessing appropriate services, and advocating for childrens educational requirements. This service combines mental health support with practical guidance, recognising the additional emotional challenges faced by parents of children with SEND.
Questions
How can I access maternal mental health support?
Contact our helpline at 0117 9359366 between 10am-9pm Monday-Friday or complete our online referral form.
What areas do you cover?
We provide services across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
Are your services confidential?
Yes, all our support services maintain strict confidentiality, with exceptions only for safeguarding concerns.
Do you offer support for fathers and partners?
Yes, we run dedicated peer support groups and telephone support for fathers and partners.
What is perinatal mental health?
Perinatal mental health refers to emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year post-birth, covering conditions like postnatal depression and anxiety.
How long can I receive support?
Support is available from pregnancy until your youngest child starts school.
