Meet A Mama: Supporting New Mothers in County Durham

A sensory café in Consett has helped combat isolation among new mothers through its innovative ‘Meet A Mama’ project. Clart About Ltd received a £1,000 contribution from the UMi Fund towards their weekly sessions at the sensory café, supporting 84 mothers and their babies over 36 weeks.

The project removed financial barriers by providing exclusive use of the café facilities for families, which was particularly important during the cost-of-living crisis. Two staff members facilitated each two-hour session, creating a welcoming environment where mothers could connect and build lasting friendships.

The impact extended beyond the café walls, with mothers reporting that their newfound connections continued after the programme ended. Through end-of-project questionnaires, participants shared how the peer support network positively affected their early parenting journey. The benefits also rippled out to entire family units, as mothers learned the importance of self-care and mental wellbeing activities.

Despite challenges such as reduced food sales due to financial pressures, the project successfully created a supportive community for new mothers who might otherwise have struggled to access such activities. By focusing on reducing social isolation, Meet A Mama has helped transform the early parenting experience for families across County Durham.

Making a Difference

"I had postnatal depression with my first child and I was really scared when I found out I was pregnant again. I started the classes with my baby when he was three weeks old, and I can't thank Lynn and the Clart About team enough for letting me attend and for all the help they have given me. I was already feeling worried and anxious, and my baby wasn't sleeping. I have learned coping strategies for when my anxiety gets too much, and relaxation techniques. I have also made lots of new friends for me and my little boy," shared Natalie.