General Resources and National Support

Podcasts:

NSPCC Learning Podcast: This is an interesting episode focussing on Supporting Black mothers facing perinatal mental health challenges

Woman’s Hour: This is an interesting episode reflecting on Maternal Anxiety.

Happy Mum, Happy Baby: Episodes interviewing famous mums around the challenges and joys of parenthood.

Is it normal? The pregnancy Podcast with Jessie Ware:.In this series Jessie speaks to experts to explore what goes on in the different stages of pregnancy and birth.

Child: This podcast tells the story of a child from fertilisation to first birthday through the lens of society, history and science.

The PANDAS podcast: insight and advice into the experiences of perinatal mental health.

Motherkind: a podcast that interviews people from the world of self-development and wellbeing with a focus on parenting challenges in modern life.

Books:

Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood Lucy Jones. An exploration into how motherhood affects the mind, brain and body.

Nobody Told Me:Holly McNish. A collection of poetry exploring motherhood.

Beautiful Chaos: On Motherhood, Finding Yourself and Overwhelming Love:Jessica Urlichs. A collection of poems exploring motherhood from pregnancy onwards.

Apps:

Some ways to connect to other new parents in your community.

Black Mums App: a community platform created to support, empower, and connect Black mothers through shared resources, discussions, and events.

Peanut: a social networking app that connects women through fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause for friendship and support

Hearts and Minds: A map of perinatal support services across the UK.

Happity: a website for finding antenatal, birth, baby and toddler activities across the UK.

Other Useful Resources:

Neurodivergent mental health: PANDAS has a free online resource for neurodivergent people (including professionals and their networks) to help better understand how to access and advocate for support, including knowing your rights and what “reasonable adjustments” are and how they can help.

Start4Life: is an NHS-backed website offering trusted advice on pregnancy, including tips on exercise, baby development, and how partners can provide support.

Blaze Trails CIC: A network of walking groups for new parents across the UK.

Self-help guide for managing mental health – https://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/blmk/

Wider Support

Any emergency contact Police, Ambulance, Fire service – 999

Any non-emergency Police enquiries – 101

Any non-emergency health enquires – 111

Samaritans – Call for free 24/7 on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

SHOUT –  Free, confidential, 24/7 text-based crisis support. Text SHOUT to 85258.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)  – offers resources and a helpline open every day from 5pm-Midnight (0800585858)

Mind – this website has signposting and resources for mental health support.

Hub of Hope – the UK’s largest mental health support directory.

 

National Charities:

Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA): A coalition of over 130 organisations working to ensure that women and families across the UK have access to high-quality perinatal mental health care.

PANDAS Foundation: Offers free peer support, helpline services, and online groups for parents and carers affected by perinatal mental illness, including antenatal and postnatal anxiety.

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP): A UK charity providing specialist peer support and information for those affected by postpartum psychosis and their families.

Association for Post-Natal Illness (APNI): Offers confidential support to mothers experiencing postnatal depression through a network of volunteers and informational resources.

Birth Trauma Association: Provides support to parents who have experienced birth-related trauma, including PTSD and severe anxiety after childbirth.

Maternal OCD: A charity raising awareness and offering guidance and peer support for mothers experiencing perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Tommy’s: Provides expert support for pregnancy-related anxiety, loss, and health concerns through research-backed guidance and midwife-led helplines.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): Offers antenatal classes, breastfeeding support, and local postnatal groups to support parents emotionally and practically during early parenthood.

Home-Start UK: Delivers volunteer-led home visits and emotional support for families with young children, helping reduce stress, isolation, and anxiety.

Family Lives: Provides confidential support and guidance to parents via a free helpline, online chat, and parenting forums.

The Motherhood Group: A social enterprise supporting Black mothers through culturally safe peer support, therapy, advocacy, and community events.

Gingerbread – National charity for single parent families.

Dads and Partners:

Dads Matter: is a UK service supporting fathers with their mental health and emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period and beyond.

Tommy’s: offer support resources for dads, partners and non-birthing parents.

PANDAS: the website offers a variety of support resources, signposting and a weekly online dad group for peer support.

Andy’s Man Club: a peer support group providing online or in-person space for men to talk openly about their mental health.

DadPad – A free app developed with the NHS, offering information and advice for dads. Available via app stores.

LGBTQIA+

LBGT Foundation: a national charity offering a wide range of specialist support services to those who need them. They offer a helpline open on weekdays between 9am and 6pm on 0345 330 30 30.

Switchboard: A national LGBTQIA+ support line that is open every day from 10am until 10pm on 0800 0119 100.

Rainbow MIND: Offering mental health support to people across London and Greater Manchester.

Abuse support services:

National domestic violence helpline: a freephone service offering support 24/7 on 0808 2000 247. Resources and support are also available on the refuge website.

DV Assist: specialist charity in arranging Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders & Occupation Orders.

Galop: LGBTQIA+ support and signposting service. They offer a helpline which is open on weekdays.

Victim support: support for individuals who have experienced any type of crime. They offer a helpline which is open 24/7 on 0808 1689 111.

NHS: a webpage with signposting to your local Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) which offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you.

 Rape Crisis England and Wales: charity working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence. They offer a live chat and 24/7 helpline available on 0808 802 9999.

Jewish Women’s Aid: Support and advice for Jewish women experiencing domestic abuse across the UK. Call: 0808 801 0500. Monday – Thursday 9.30am-9.30pm

Muslim Women’s Network: Advocacy and support for Muslim women experiencing discrimination and abuse nationally. Call: 0800 999 5786.

Karma Nirvana:National helpline supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. Call: 0800 5999 247. Monday to Friday 9am–5pm.

Women’s Aid: National charity offering support and refuge for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Call: 0808 2000 247.

Bereavement:

Cruse Bereavement Care: bereavement charity offering free, confidential emotional support to those grieving via its helpline—0808 808 1677.