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What is postnatal peer support?

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Postnatal peer support refers to a form of non-clinical support provided by trained individuals who are mums themselves and who personally experienced challenges in the postpartum period. It aims to connect new mums with others who can offer empathy, understanding, and gentle advice based on their own lived experiences. It is possible for the support to take place one-to-one in phone calls or in-person meet ups and in wider facilitated groups where new mums can connect with others, share experiences, and receive mutual support in a safe and confidential environment.

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What are the benefits of postnatal peer support?

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Postnatal peer support has been shown to be an effective intervention for promoting maternal well-being. Studies have demonstrated that peer support can:

• Improve maternal mental health outcomes, including anxiety and stress.

• Enhance maternal confidence and self-efficacy in caring for their baby.

• Promote social connectedness and reduce feelings of isolation.

• Increase knowledge and understanding of infant development and care.

• Encourage healthy coping mechanisms and self-care practices.

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Who can benefit from postnatal peer support?

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MAYA is a postnatal peer support organisation for mums of new babies in Oxford. It is for every mum-to-be who feels that they would appreciate having someone, ‘who gets it’ to offload, rant, reflect and feel listened to during those early weeks and months with a newborn. You do not have to be a first-time mum, in fact you may be having your second or third child and be well versed in recognising that you need this space during the postnatal period.

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You do not need to have any pressing needs to receive support. However, you may be experiencing anxiety, stress, overwhelm or isolation during your pregnancy or feel that you would like to build a stronger support network. You may also anticipate that you might feel wobbly postnatally and that you’d value having peer support set up ready for you to tap into when your baby is here.

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Is there anyone that MAYA’s postnatal support is not suitable for?

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MAYA’s volunteers will receive training in the skills of active listening, empathy and support with the goal of offering gentle conversational support to new mums. However, they are not qualified to work with mums who may have presenting needs or situations that require a higher level of support. For example, this might be specific mental health needs or home/ family situations that require specialist advice or safety plans. There are specialist peer support services or perhaps other organisations and services that might be able to offer you more effective support.

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MAYA sends out a questionnaire to all mums-to-be that enquires about their wellbeing and support wants and needs. This is followed up by a phone call with MAYA’s founder, Jess to discuss whether MAYA’s peer support is appropriate. Jess, with your consent, can signpost and support referrals to other local services as needed.

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How will you match mums-to-be with peer support mums?

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As MAYA is a start-up organisation, we are initially delivering a free pilot peer support service to fine tune the support on offer and to request feedback from new mums about what they value most in terms of peer support. During the pilot the peer support is being delivered singlehanded by MAYA founder, Jess, so it is not possible to match mums with a peer support volunteer with specific attributes such as a certain age range, cultural background, postnatal experience etc. (unless this happens to align with what Jess can offer herself!)

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MAYA is looking to start recruiting and training volunteers from Spring next year. We hope to recruit mums with diverse backgrounds and a range of postnatal experiences to reflect the needs of mums seeking MAYA’s support. The aim will be for mums-to-be complete an initial questionnaire about themselves and will rank what attributes, if anything, are most important to them in their peer support person and match accordingly. Of course, this will depend on which volunteers are on role. We hope our recruitment process and training will equip our volunteers to work with most new mums.

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What does MAYA's support look like in practice? 

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MAYA’s support is available up until your baby is six months old.

If you sign up for MAYA while you’re pregnant, as you near your baby’s arrival, you can choose to have gentle phone check-ins from your peer support or they can wait for their cue to reach out once your baby has arrived.

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When you’re ready, you’re offered weekly in-person meet-ups which of course you can bring your baby along to. The volunteer won’t come into your home but they're happy to meet you at your doorstep for a walk or in a local coffee shop. As time goes by the meet-ups decrease in frequency but are always flexible around your needs.

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MAYA also offers some group meets with other MAYA mums who have had babies around the same time. We'll also introduce you to local groups and community sessions. So, when your baby reaches six-months and we say our goodbyes, you'll feel well supported and find that your community has grown around you much like you have grown in yourself.

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Then maybe in the near future, you'll decide to be a volunteer yourself for other new mums – and thus the MAYA community grows :)

 

What is the difference between postnatal peer support and professional help?

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Postnatal peer support is a valuable resource for new parents, but it is not a substitute for professional or clinical help. If you are struggling with your mental health, it is important to seek professional help from a qualified mental health professional. MAYA can help signpost you to local support and specialist services as needed.

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I am interested in receiving support from MAYA. Do I sign up while I am pregnant or when my baby is here?

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You can register your interest in MAYA’s support at any point during your pregnancy up until 4 weeks after your baby is here.

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MAYA would recommend that you get in touch to register your interest during your pregnancy. This offers you a good chance to have a think about postnatal support before you need it, meet your peer supporter and everything is then set up in time for your baby’s arrival!

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You can do this my emailing jess@mumaya.co.uk  You'll then receive a questionnaire to complete and a follow up call. We’ll then arrange an in- person meet up before your baby is here. This meetup helps build connection, familiarity and trust with another local mum – as your peer support - and offer a sense of what future regular meet ups might feel like. After that, you can choose to have gentle phone check-ins or we can wait for our cue to reach out once your baby has arrived. Then, when it feels right, we pick up our chat where we left off minus the bump and with a precious new babe in tow – on a walk or in a local café – to be there for you in your new chapter.

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How can I volunteer to be a postnatal peer supporter with MAYA?

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Following MAYA’s pilot, MAYA will be looking to recruit for volunteers in Spring 2024. Please email jess@mumaya.co.uk to join MAYA’s volunteer mailing list to be the first to hear updates about recruitment.

 

What other postnatal support is available in Oxford?

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MAYA is currently building a directory of support available in Oxford.

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Some key support includes:

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Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

This NHS trust provides a range of perinatal mental health services, including postnatal support groups. They offer groups for mothers and fathers, as well as groups for parents with specific needs, such as those who have experienced trauma or loss. There are groups ran by specialist health visitors to support new mums who are low, depressed or increasingly anxious. Please speak to your health visitor or jess@mumaya.co.uk for more information.

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Motherkind Café

An Oxford-based peer-support group for mothers of young children and mothers-to-be who are concerned about their mental health, are finding things difficult, or would just like to have a chat with some other mums in a relaxed and mum-focused group. They meet weekly at Flo’s Café in Florence Park on Fridays from 10:15 am to 11:45 am. You’re welcome to bring your baby or preschool children, it’s free to attend, and you don’t need a referral or diagnosis. Come along for a drink and a chat in a friendly, non-judgemental, women-only space. 

https://www.facebook.com/themotherkindcafe/

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

This organisation provides home-visiting and support groups for families with children under 5 years old. They offer a variety of services, including emotional support, parenting advice, and practical assistance. homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk

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PANDAS Foundation UK

This charity provides support and information to families affected by perinatal mental illness, including postnatal depression and anxiety. They offer a helpline, online forums, and local support groups. Home – PANDAS Foundation UK

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Action Postpartum Psychosis (APP)

 This organisation provides information and support to anyone who has experienced postpartum psychosis, including a peer support network and an online forum. Action on Postpartum Psychosis - NSPA

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Any more questions just drop Jess at line at jess@mumaya.co.uk

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