Whittlesey woman helps new mothers after giving birth

Often new mums can struggle post-natally, which is where wonderful volunteers are able step in and help out where they can.

Mary Johnson, (47) is a stay-at-home mum of twin girls and found life as a new mum isolating, before joining the Birth and Beyond Community Support programme which turned her life around.

The National Childbirth Trust programme trains women to become peer supporters to help mums out in a practical way until their child’s second birthday.

Mary said: “Just after their sixth birthdays I felt I needed something that identified me as something other than just ‘mum’.

“I’d heard about the scheme through a friend and decided that it was time to do something that is mine, that I can say is an achievement and helpful to others.”

Now a community peer support volunteer to other mums with twins, she draws on her own experience to help out.

She said: “Having this community set up can help mums who don’t leave the house, or if they’re struggling to get out on their own. It is nice to be able to tell people it does get better and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Mary, from Whittlesey, has noticed a difference in herself since volunteering.

She said: “My girls have realised mum does more than ‘mum stuff’.

“It helps to see you can be a mum and do all all the other things as well. Raising two girls, I want them to see they can do whatever they want. It is nice to be kind.”

l To volunteer with the project, or for more information about the scheme, you can visit nct.org.uk and complete a referral form.