On A Lighter Note

Niall and I had chatted about the service provided by Steel City Dads and how it can be accessed. We also shared common issues faced by dads in pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. SteelCityDads@zestcommunity.co.uk If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, send an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the websit...

Nicola shared her experience of gluten intolerance that developed after the birth of her first baby. We talked about the signs and symptoms as well as the emotional impact this had on her in the early days motherhood. Nicola explained how isolating this experience was and still can be at times. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893...

Bronwyn shared her experience of pregnancy and parenthood while navigating a very turbulent relationship. We discussed how specific events impacted her mental health and how her mental health impacted her choices. Bronwyn candidly shares her toxic relationship with her daughter's dad, her disconnect to her daughter as a baby, her relationship with her parents, the hard decisions she has had to mak...

Karen and I chatted about the world of neonatal care, an area that is often unspoken about and many are completely unaware of. The emotional impact of having a poorly baby can be extremely isolating. There are also many practical things that need to be considered, which Karen explained. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an...

Jen and I, both hypnobirthing and antenatal teachers, chatted about what hypnobirthing is, how we discovered amd used it, the common misconceptions and all things birth.

Aitch and I discussed body image and the work she does with SYEDA, South Yorkshire Eating Disorders Association. We chatted about our own personal struggles with body image and self-esteem and how society has played into that. We also covered the physical and emotional changes that happen during conception, pregnancy, birth and parenthood. During the episode I mentioned a podcast that I found help...

Samantha and I chatted about her role as a specialist pelvic floor midwife and how she supports women. We discussed the common issues many women can face in pregnancy and in the postnatal period and where they can find support. Samantha discussed a new app available, where resources and info can be easily accessed. Samantha kindly provided her email address for anyone who feels they could benefit...

Lauren and Lauren have been doing amazing work providing pre and post natal fitness classes for free. They focus on providing support for physical and emotional wellbeing. This work has also been recognised after it won the EFL League 2 Community Project of the Year. If anyone would like to know more about the work Lauren ans Lauren have been doing or to book on a project, their contact details ar...

Matt and his partner created the charity JOEL after losing their twin boys in pregnancy in 2011. At this time there was little peer support able and so JOEL was born. Matt discusses his own experiences and how his work aims to provide a safe and supportive space for others, especially men. If you would like to get in touch the contacts for JOEL are below. www.joeltcp.org info@joeltcp.org 075917402...

In this episode I chatted to Prudence and Olivia, who are both mothering without their own mothers in their lives. They shared the similarities and differences in their experiences and the emotional impact of parenting without your own parent around. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motherless-Daughters-Legacy-Hope-Edelman/dp/1473695619/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=105077695877&hvadid=606294859196&hvdev=m&hvloc...

Rhona, a service user of Light, and I chatted about her journey so far as a teenage mum to be. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpeersupport.org.uk

TRIGGER WARNING. This podcast episode contains conversations around baby loss and miscarriage. Some listeners may find this triggering. Tina, a fellow peer support worker at Light, and I discussed our own experiences of loss and the impact this had on us and our subsequent pregnancies. For further support vist https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/ If you would like to get in touch with us at...

Today, I spoke to Kerry about domestic abuse and the work she does with IDAS. A specialist charity based in Yorkshire supporting and accommodating victims and survivors of domestic abuse. https://idas.org.uk/ If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpee...

Hollie is a service user of Light and today we discussed her conception journey as a 2 mum family. Hollie shares her emotional and physical experience of assisted conception. https://jessopfertility.org.uk/ If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpeers...

Leah and I have been peer support workers at Light for around 2 years now. Neither of us had done this type of work in the past. We talked about the role and how we find it. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpeersupport.org.uk

Hollie and I have been meeting regularly for a while now after she struggled to process her difficult birth experience. Hollie was kind enough to share her story with me on the podcast in the hope it can help others who have felt the same. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or ch...

I chatted with Tess about her role as a consultant obstetrician. She explained what her role is and who she supports birthing people in pregnancy and birth. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpeersupport.org.uk

Ali shares her own experience of perinatal mental health issues as well as the work she does with others. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpeersupport.org.uk

Elizabeth discusses her experience of perinatal mental health both professionally and personally. She shares her experience and journey of suffering from mental health issues and how this impacted her life. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpeers...

Olivia and I chatted about how pregnancy, birth and motherhood impacts you. How hard and just exhausting it can be. We discussed how much peer support, both formally and informally, can help. Olivia shared her journey and talked about how she is hopes to help others. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@l...

Ellie is a peer support worker with lived experience of postpartum psychosis working for APP. She shared with me what it might look and feel like to present with the illness. She also discusses her experience of a mother and baby unit.https://www.app-network.org/ If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@light...

Alison and I chatted about feeding and the emotional impact it can have. Alison explained how important it is to have support when it comes to feeding your baby. She also discussed where you can find this support from local services. Some useful resources: Notts Happy Baby Corner on Facebook, https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/early-years-and-childcare/childrens-centre-service https://www.uni...

Stacey discussed her role and experiences of being a midwife and the impact that can have on a medical professional's mental health. We looked at the difficulties faced by services users and midwives within today's maternity services. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check o...

Craig and I met at a peer support event recently and noticed how many parallels there were in our experiences of mental health after trauma. We were both surprised to have so much in common given our differing backgrounds. We talk about the importance of talking and reducing the stigma around mental health, particularly in environments and institutions like the armed forces. Thank you Craig for be...

Make Birth Better are on a mission to end suffering from birth trauma through support, campaigning and training. Visit their website here, Instagram here and email hello@makebirthbetter.org with any queries. If you would like to get in touch with us at Light, give us a call on 0114 438 8962, a text on 07843 893995, an email to contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk or check out the website at lightpeer...