So, why are support networks essential for mums? Beyond the obvious need for practical help, these networks cater to emotional and social needs, creating a balanced support system that holds mums together in times of need.
Financial Help for New Parents
The media likes to portray claiming benefits as wrong. But often it’s the most vulnerable people in society who don’t claim them. New parents qualify for financial benefits, just visit the government website to find out more.
Not only do you qualify for child benefit and maternity/paternity allowances, but there is also other help available like working tax credits, financial help for disabled children (including grants for anything you need to buy).
And other help like free school meals and buses (Healthy Start Vouchers allow you to get free fresh food – alas the campaign to have the vouchers offer plant milk alongside dairy has not yet come to fruition, not good news for vegan children or those with lactose-intolerance – often people from ethnic minorities).
Maternity Action is a charity dedicated to protecting and enhancing the rights of all pregnant women, new mothers and their families. It offers free advice on maternity pay, welfare benefits and leave. The site runs a number of campaigns, and also has extensive advice sheets to read.
Free Help for Mums with Mental Health Issues
MumsAid is a charity that offers free help for mums struggling with mental health issues. It also helps young mums struggling to cope, and mums recovering from the trauma of a difficult birth.
Up to 20% of new mums suffer from mental health issues, whether that’s post-natal depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or postpartum psychosis.
Free Help for Bereaved Mums & Dads
The Lullaby Trust offers a free helpline for new parents who have lost a baby or young child. If you have been bereaved in any way (say lost a partner or relative), you can call Cruse (trained volunteers in bereavement counselling).
NHS has tips on how to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (which is rare, the main prevention ways being placing babies on their back to sleep, avoiding secondhand smoke and avoid over-heating – including in car seats). Remove baby hats once babies are indoors or in warmer temperatures, so heat can be released from the head.
And if you are a ‘companion animal mum’, find free bereavement support at Blue Cross and/or Paws to Listen (cats).
Free Help for Mums with Post-Natal Depression
PANDAS offers free help and support to women suffering from post-natal depression, a serious condition that in some cases leads to suicide. Trained volunteers (many working within midwifery) offer a free helpline that is open most weekdays, plus there is a bookable call service.
Post-natal depression occurs in around 10% of new mums, and can also affect new dads. The so-called ‘baby blues’ occur in most mums in the first couple of weeks, but post-natal depression can last for up to a year. It is more common in women with mental health issues, or have gone through stressful events in life (not just childbirth).
APNI also provides phone support and welcomes volunteers (including males for dads with post-natal depression).
Free Help for Single Parents (mums & dads)
Gingerbread is the leading charity for single parents (including dads). The site has a wealth of information covering subjects from benefits and bereavement to domestic abuse and legal help. And you can also use the free confidential helpline (or web chat) for anything else you need help with.
The media often portray single parents as those who do no work, have endless children and spend all day watching satellite tv. In fact, many single parents are widowed, others are ill, and many are not claiming benefits that they are entitled to. Which would enable a better quality of life, and also the ability to study or work part-time.
If you have children with disabilities or other issues, claiming benefits also entitles you to other benefits like physical aids for the home and free transport help.
Help for Women in Domestic Abuse Situations
Find tech tips to keep safe online (or write down numbers to hide in a safe place, if you have no computer or phone access).
Women’s Aid is the national charity to help any woman in a domestic abuse situation, and concerned for the safety of both herself and any children. It also offers an online Survivor’s Handbook and Flexible Funds (government money to help you transition to a new life where you are safe).
The site has a page on how to cover your tracks online if concerned. Also read up on help for domestic abuse (including for pets).
Refuge also runs a domestic abuse helpline, which is free. It also has a free chatbot and helpline for British Sign Language users. Trained advisors can help keep you safe with specialist advice, and help get you, children and pets to safety.
Free Support for Parents (with removed children)
Pause offers free support to women who have had at least one child removed from their care. Obviously this is usually done for genuine reasons, but rather than judge, the people here aim to help you get your life back together. Either to reunite with children later on, or move on – knowing your offspring are in safe loving homes.
Give a Book is a lovely project where mums (and dads) in prison get to read donated books to their children, either during visiting or over the phone, to help bond and provide some kind of normality. The charity also donates ‘positive’ books for prisoners to read in cells, to help create a better mindset and life, on release.
