When public funding for mental health services were cut in 2016, dozens of pregnant women and new parents in Frome faced their access to free counselling services being completely stopped. For local NHS midwife Karen Patrick, this simply wasn’t an option.
Joined by a group of local women who saw the positive impact maternal mental health services could have in the area, Karen and the team were determined to reinstate their lost services. The group rallied round to raise funds and established Frome Birth Talk. Using funds from a lottery grant, trustees of the charity hoped to be able to support 15 women over the course of a year by offering six hour-long sessions with a professional counsellor, completely free of charge. Not only did they surpass this number in their first year, but demand for Frome Birth Talk’s services had never been clearer.
Frome Birth Talk provides the only free, face-to-face counselling service specifically for pregnant and postnatal people in the Frome area. The charity is now made up of 15 volunteers, seven trustees and, more recently, two employees. Seven counsellors work with the group, three of which are in training and are completing their final hours of valuable client work experience before qualifying.
The free counselling service operates by self-referral, although local health visitors and midwives also regularly sign-post their patients or let them know there is help available for anyone finding things difficult. Waiting times to start therapy sessions are typically around three weeks, compared to several months for those seeking NHS counselling.
The organisation also runs a free weekly Bump to Baby group, as well as a new toddler group, where the focus is on parents making connections and finding support with others going through similar struggles of early parenthood – whilst someone else makes the tea! The NHS estimates that over 20% of new mothers experience low mood, depression and anxiety after birth, and yet with public services under such immense pressure, it’s charities and organisations like Frome Birth Talk which can offer the most immediate support.
Today, thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Friends of Frome Hospital and Frome Town Council, Frome Birth Talk reached a record number of service users in Frome and across the surrounding areas, with 72 people engaging with the free support available in 2021. But the charity is always on the look-out for more help from volunteers or for new trustees to join the board.
“If you’ve ever wanted to volunteer or would like to add something new to your CV by joining our board of trustees, we’d love to hear from you!” said Susy from Frome Birth talk. “There are loads of ways you can get involved, from helping to facilitate our groups to offering your skills as a graphic designer or PR guru. We’re always keen to speak to people who would like to give something back to their community.”
For families in B&NES who are struggling with early parenthood, Bluebell operate a 1:1 ‘buddy system’, which pairs new mums with trained peer support workers across Bath, Keynsham & Chew Valley and the Somer Valley.
In Bristol, the Mothers For Mothers group offers low-cost counselling, home visits, phone support, days out and art therapy. They also offer online support groups for dads and partners who need to talk to others going through similar things.
You can connect with Frome Birth Talk by emailing email hidden; JavaScript is required or following them on social media.