Hackney mums needed to volunteer to help beat maternal depression
Hackney mums are being asked to befriend depressed pregnant woman and mothers, to help combat perinatal depression.
The Perinatal Support Project, run by Haggerston charity Family Action, is designed to address issues of maternal mental distress and depression that can be experienced by women both during and after a pregnancy.
The term ‘perinatal’ refers to the time around a baby’s birth.
The aim is to improve the mental health of pregnant women and mothers of children under one, enabling them bond and enjoy healthier emotional relationships.
Volunteers, who understand the loneliness and worries that sometimes come with a new baby, befriend vulnerable and isolated pregnant women.
Drawing on their own experience, they can give them hope before and after the birth and provide them with a useful person to talk to when things feel overwhelming.
Saddaf Aslam, perinatal support coordinator said: “We can’t provide this service without volunteers.
Most Read
- 1 Jailed: North London members of Essex drugs supply network
- 2 Operation to crack down on Dalston street robberies erupted into 'violence'
- 3 12 stolen phones recovered after stop and search in Hackney
- 4 Flats under construction in Hackney Wick to be knocked down and rebuilt
- 5 Disorder in Dalston: Eight charged and footage referred to IOPC watchdog
- 6 Three men convicted for Dalston shooting
- 7 Footage appearing to show officer striking man in Dalston under review
- 8 Men jailed after firing 13 shots at people in children's park
- 9 Thunderstorms to hit London this evening warns Met Office
- 10 Two teenagers arrested following stabbing of 16-year-old
“Those who have experienced childbirth and bring up children have such a lot of hope to offer to new mums and between them they can have a big impact on postnatal depression and child development.”
A study from mental health charity Mind, estimated one in six pregnant women are affected by mental distress.
Based on the 2009 birth rates, this means up to 762 children in the Hackney area may be born to a mother who suffers from postnatal depression.
Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, the project also provides volunteers with valuable training, giving them skills that can be used in future paid employment.
Based in Arbutus Street, Family Action works to address complex issues facing families today- including financial hardship, domestic abuse, mental health problems, learning disabilities and substance misuse.
Those interested in volunteering should contact Saddaf Aslam on 020 7249 8109.