We were awarded funding for a series of Baby Makers sessions in 2021-2022 by the National Lottery Community Fund.
This is a program featuring a series of workshops for women in pregnancy. It offers supported creative practice in a group, as a way to address connection, emotional health & wellbeing for midwives and pregnant women.
We ran a series of 8 sessions in late 2021, for women in pregnancy. In spring 2022 we offered a series of sessions for new mothers in the first year after giving birth. A doula and other support workers joined the group to give support and also as creative participants. We offered stipends to all participants to ensure there are no financial barriers to taking part.
We then created a new piece of collective artwork for Stroud’s Museum in the Park to share maternal histories. Some of the stories were shared on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on the Anna King show and the collective Bunting artwork is now part of the Museum collection.
About the Baby Makers
Focusing on the positive effect that making and crafting has on mental health and wellbeing, the sessions create an intimate space where birthing women and those who support them, can come together to make something and form a mutually supportive community.
This combats isolation and loneliness that is often experienced by vulnerable mothers. It also provides midwives with time for their own wellbeing.
Parental mental health issues around the time of childbirth are known to have continuing impacts on children into adulthood, which has implications for everyone.
“Pregnancy and the post partum are times of increased vulnerability for the onset or relapse of a mental illness (Smith et al., 2011). Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and the post partum (Alipour et al., 2012) and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879174/#bib138
It has been an absolute pleasure taking part in such a lovely group on my maternity leave… I have learnt a new skill from scratch (crochet) with the support of a very patient teacher. I am thrilled to have learnt something new which I can carry forward with me for years to come. I’m finding crocheting in the evening after taking care of a baby and a toddler l day very relaxing!
Anon, Participant in 2022
I really enjoyed scheduling some time to try to be creative with my new baby. It was wonderful to be around other new mums and to share thoughts and feelings. I’m naturally introverted so struggle to start conversation with people I don’t know, but being in the group made me feel more comfortable as we were all in the same boat.
Anon, Participant in 2022
Pilot 2019
The project was piloted in the Stonehouse area in Gloucestershire.
The pilot was possible thanks to funding by the Midcounties Cooperative Fund. Our report is now available (PDF) and we are open to partners as we continue this project. We are very grateful to midwives in the Stroud District for supporting and participating in the sessions.
Email waas@thewaas.org if you would like to work with us.
