A CREATIVE SUPPORT NETWORK FOR MOTHERS
behind every mother is the woman she has always been....
"A truly valuable experience which pulled me from the brink of post natal depression..."
How did Mothers Uncovered start...?
Founder Maggie Gordon-Walker felt isolated, panicky and lonely following the birth of her child in 2004 and wanted a group that focused on the mother, not the child.
Mothers Uncovered began in 2008 as a project for registered charity Livestock
It is a creative support network for (mostly new) mothers, led by past participants.
'I became aware of Mothers Uncovered back in 2010, just a few years after it was formed. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to see the amazing work that they do to help women navigate the early days of motherhood and beyond. Mothers Uncovered offers a safe and supportive space, with reassurance that there’s no “right” way to feel - and that the times of feeling sadness, frustration and even anger don’t make us “bad” parents.'
MP Caroline Lucas, from the foreword to 'The Secret Life of Mothers.'
Founder Maggie Gordon-Walker felt isolated, panicky and lonely following the birth of her child in 2004 and wanted a group that focused on the mother, not the child.
Mothers Uncovered began in 2008 as a project for registered charity Livestock
It is a creative support network for (mostly new) mothers, led by past participants.
'I became aware of Mothers Uncovered back in 2010, just a few years after it was formed. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to see the amazing work that they do to help women navigate the early days of motherhood and beyond. Mothers Uncovered offers a safe and supportive space, with reassurance that there’s no “right” way to feel - and that the times of feeling sadness, frustration and even anger don’t make us “bad” parents.'
MP Caroline Lucas, from the foreword to 'The Secret Life of Mothers.'
Are you interested in attending a group? Here is some information.
What happens in the sessions?
Each group is 5 or 6 sessions, taking place weekly. Each person shares something from their week. Further discussion takes place in pairs and within the group on specific topics, such as body image, your own experience of being mothered, relationships with others. There are guided writing, art, mindfulness or singing exercises, with further exercises to do at home.
A typical course will run on these themes...
Week 1: Who Are You?
Week 2: Your Life: How Has it Changed?
Week 3: Your Journey to Motherhood/Birth Stories
Week 4: Motherhood and the Wider World
Week 5: Your Life From Now On
Who runs the sessions?
Each group has two facilitators. They are all past participants of Mothers Uncovered. We are not 'perfect' mothers. Such a thing does not exist. We are going through the motherhood journey too, but just a bit further along. Nor are the sessions telling you how to be a mother. There is a wealth of information out there telling you that. We offer peer support. Hopefully you will make some lasting friendships within the group, but at the very least you will have had the opportunity to express the thoughts you might not be able to share with others in your life.
Are the sessions a drop-in?
No. We believe it's important to build up a sense of community and safety within the group, which can only be done if you know the others that will be coming along. Obviously you may have to miss a session if something comes up, but you will get the most out of it if you can come to them all. Running late is expected though :-). If you don't feel ready for a group, we run monthly individual workshops.
How do I sign up?
If you are interested in a course, please get in touch via our Contact Form. We will get back to you with details. You can pay for a course via Paypal to admin@livestock.org.uk or we can give you our bank details. We ask that you pay for the course in advance if at all possible. We can reimburse you if you cancel 48 hours before the course starts. We may be able to refund you a proportion of the course fee once the course starts if there are exceptional circumstances, but we operate on a shoestring so it may not be possible.
There are always 2 free places per course and the concession rate is quite generous, so please get in touch if you would like to come but money is tight.
Here is some background information...
What's the idea behind Mothers Uncovered?
Firstly, it’s to provide a support service to mothers through arts workshops. We give women the chance to talk openly and honestly about their feelings and experiences, without fear of judgement.
Secondly, to give women the chance to celebrate and mark this point in their lives. It is very easy for a new mother to feel sidelined by the focus that is naturally placed on the baby and to have difficulty expressing her feelings in a way that can also be creative. Participants attend a series of structured sessions in the same group to facilitate more in-depth conversation. Some of our groups are for first-time mothers, but they are mostly aimed at women at any and all stages of motherhood. Sometimes women don't feel the need to process their experiences until much later. Participants have the chance to explore their experiences through art, writing, drama or mindfulness. This is often shared with others through exhibitions and performances. This helps build self-esteem and validate a woman's perspective. It also brings the often hidden nature of motherhood into the open.
Aren't there lots of mum and baby groups...?
There are, but these are often informal drop-ins, not suitable for discussing issues that might be difficult or painful. There are also post-natal depression groups, but these carry a stigma of ‘not coping’; and a fear that someone is keeping tabs on you because you are usually referred by a doctor/health visitor.
There is a big hole between these two extremes and we do our best to stem that gap, believing that most new mothers in fact have 'new motherhood syndrome', in which it's completely normal to be blissfully happy one minute and in the depths of despair the next. When a woman gives birth the focus shifts to the baby. Women may be delighted and grateful to be mothers, but they need an outlet for the emotions generated by the enormous event they have experienced.
How is Mothers Uncovered funded?
Our parent company, Livestock, is a charity so we apply for grants. Over the years we have received funding from Brighton & Hove City Council, Santander, Awards for All, The Co-operative and Sussex Community Foundation. However, the funding is quite precarious, so there are charges for our courses in order to continue, but we keep them as low as we can. Course fees help cover some of the costs of the venue, refreshments and materials, facilitators and publicity.
If you'd like to make a donation, we'd be very grateful. You can donate via Paypal to admin@livestock.org.uk or via Localgiving (follow the Support Us button).
What happens in the sessions?
Each group is 5 or 6 sessions, taking place weekly. Each person shares something from their week. Further discussion takes place in pairs and within the group on specific topics, such as body image, your own experience of being mothered, relationships with others. There are guided writing, art, mindfulness or singing exercises, with further exercises to do at home.
A typical course will run on these themes...
Week 1: Who Are You?
Week 2: Your Life: How Has it Changed?
Week 3: Your Journey to Motherhood/Birth Stories
Week 4: Motherhood and the Wider World
Week 5: Your Life From Now On
Who runs the sessions?
Each group has two facilitators. They are all past participants of Mothers Uncovered. We are not 'perfect' mothers. Such a thing does not exist. We are going through the motherhood journey too, but just a bit further along. Nor are the sessions telling you how to be a mother. There is a wealth of information out there telling you that. We offer peer support. Hopefully you will make some lasting friendships within the group, but at the very least you will have had the opportunity to express the thoughts you might not be able to share with others in your life.
Are the sessions a drop-in?
No. We believe it's important to build up a sense of community and safety within the group, which can only be done if you know the others that will be coming along. Obviously you may have to miss a session if something comes up, but you will get the most out of it if you can come to them all. Running late is expected though :-). If you don't feel ready for a group, we run monthly individual workshops.
How do I sign up?
If you are interested in a course, please get in touch via our Contact Form. We will get back to you with details. You can pay for a course via Paypal to admin@livestock.org.uk or we can give you our bank details. We ask that you pay for the course in advance if at all possible. We can reimburse you if you cancel 48 hours before the course starts. We may be able to refund you a proportion of the course fee once the course starts if there are exceptional circumstances, but we operate on a shoestring so it may not be possible.
There are always 2 free places per course and the concession rate is quite generous, so please get in touch if you would like to come but money is tight.
Here is some background information...
What's the idea behind Mothers Uncovered?
Firstly, it’s to provide a support service to mothers through arts workshops. We give women the chance to talk openly and honestly about their feelings and experiences, without fear of judgement.
Secondly, to give women the chance to celebrate and mark this point in their lives. It is very easy for a new mother to feel sidelined by the focus that is naturally placed on the baby and to have difficulty expressing her feelings in a way that can also be creative. Participants attend a series of structured sessions in the same group to facilitate more in-depth conversation. Some of our groups are for first-time mothers, but they are mostly aimed at women at any and all stages of motherhood. Sometimes women don't feel the need to process their experiences until much later. Participants have the chance to explore their experiences through art, writing, drama or mindfulness. This is often shared with others through exhibitions and performances. This helps build self-esteem and validate a woman's perspective. It also brings the often hidden nature of motherhood into the open.
Aren't there lots of mum and baby groups...?
There are, but these are often informal drop-ins, not suitable for discussing issues that might be difficult or painful. There are also post-natal depression groups, but these carry a stigma of ‘not coping’; and a fear that someone is keeping tabs on you because you are usually referred by a doctor/health visitor.
There is a big hole between these two extremes and we do our best to stem that gap, believing that most new mothers in fact have 'new motherhood syndrome', in which it's completely normal to be blissfully happy one minute and in the depths of despair the next. When a woman gives birth the focus shifts to the baby. Women may be delighted and grateful to be mothers, but they need an outlet for the emotions generated by the enormous event they have experienced.
How is Mothers Uncovered funded?
Our parent company, Livestock, is a charity so we apply for grants. Over the years we have received funding from Brighton & Hove City Council, Santander, Awards for All, The Co-operative and Sussex Community Foundation. However, the funding is quite precarious, so there are charges for our courses in order to continue, but we keep them as low as we can. Course fees help cover some of the costs of the venue, refreshments and materials, facilitators and publicity.
If you'd like to make a donation, we'd be very grateful. You can donate via Paypal to admin@livestock.org.uk or via Localgiving (follow the Support Us button).
