A CREATIVE SUPPORT NETWORK FOR MOTHERS
"A truly valuable experience which pulled me from the brink of post natal depression..."
How did Mothers Uncovered start...?
It's the result of a journey that started when I became a mother in 2004. Like many women, I had focused solely on the birth of my child, not seeing that my life would be changed forever from that point. After my second child was born, I set up Mothers Uncovered in 2008 as a project for Livestock, a registered charity that I am co-founder of (www.livestock.org.uk). It is a creative support network for (mostly new) mothers. I thought it essential to have a group for mums that wasn’t entirely focused on the baby/child. Of course the participants talk about their babies and children, but it is in context of the whole person, because behind every mother is the woman she has always been.
Maggie Gordon-Walker, Founder
'Amazing! All mothers should have the opportunity to hear these wonderfully honest, funny and moving voices'
MP Caroline Lucas, following a performance of Your Stories at Big Sunday 2013.
It's the result of a journey that started when I became a mother in 2004. Like many women, I had focused solely on the birth of my child, not seeing that my life would be changed forever from that point. After my second child was born, I set up Mothers Uncovered in 2008 as a project for Livestock, a registered charity that I am co-founder of (www.livestock.org.uk). It is a creative support network for (mostly new) mothers. I thought it essential to have a group for mums that wasn’t entirely focused on the baby/child. Of course the participants talk about their babies and children, but it is in context of the whole person, because behind every mother is the woman she has always been.
Maggie Gordon-Walker, Founder
'Amazing! All mothers should have the opportunity to hear these wonderfully honest, funny and moving voices'
MP Caroline Lucas, following a performance of Your Stories at Big Sunday 2013.
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.
What's the idea behind Mothers Uncovered?
Firstly, it’s to provide a support service to mothers through workshops and arts projects. 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.
Who runs the sessions?
Each group has two facilitators. They are all past participants of Mothers Uncovered. We are not affiliated to the NHS or any other bodies, so do not have access to any information about you unless you choose to provide it. We ask for a mobile number so we can remind you about the course beforehand and the first part of your postcode, which is useful for providing data for funding forms. 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.
What happens in the sessions?
The group is informally run, sitting on comfy chairs (if possible!). Each person shares something from their week. Further discussion takes place in pairs and within the group on specific topics, such as body image, relationships with others or how mothers are presented in the media. You will be given a notebook for writing in the sessions and at home if you wish. Depending on which course it is, there will be further writing, art, mindfulness or drama exercises. There will be the opportunity to share your birth story, if you wish. Refreshments are provided (but please feel free to bring your own food). We ask that only pre-walking babies are brought to the sessions because it is very hard for you to concentrate if you are chasing your child around the room. Please don't worry about your baby making noise though and disturbing the group - everyone else will be worried about that too. We want you to be comfortable and relax as best you can.
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 :-)
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 and we have had to introduce 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. 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. 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).
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.
What's the idea behind Mothers Uncovered?
Firstly, it’s to provide a support service to mothers through workshops and arts projects. 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.
Who runs the sessions?
Each group has two facilitators. They are all past participants of Mothers Uncovered. We are not affiliated to the NHS or any other bodies, so do not have access to any information about you unless you choose to provide it. We ask for a mobile number so we can remind you about the course beforehand and the first part of your postcode, which is useful for providing data for funding forms. 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.
What happens in the sessions?
The group is informally run, sitting on comfy chairs (if possible!). Each person shares something from their week. Further discussion takes place in pairs and within the group on specific topics, such as body image, relationships with others or how mothers are presented in the media. You will be given a notebook for writing in the sessions and at home if you wish. Depending on which course it is, there will be further writing, art, mindfulness or drama exercises. There will be the opportunity to share your birth story, if you wish. Refreshments are provided (but please feel free to bring your own food). We ask that only pre-walking babies are brought to the sessions because it is very hard for you to concentrate if you are chasing your child around the room. Please don't worry about your baby making noise though and disturbing the group - everyone else will be worried about that too. We want you to be comfortable and relax as best you can.
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 :-)
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 and we have had to introduce 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. 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. 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).
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.
