News / motherhood
Hartcliffe charity awarded Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
A a group of mothers, who have suffered and recovered from a range of maternal mental illnesses have been awarded the top voluntary award that groups in the UK can achieve.
Mother for Mothers, based in Hartcliffe, supports women during pregnancy and until their youngest child attends school, and has been doing so more 40 years.
Offering helpline and support calls, home visits, art psychotherapy, counselling and peer support groups, the south Bristol charity work to promote wellbeing and reducing social isolation to ensure of new mothers and their children, and help them engage with their wider community.
“Mothers for Mothers are delighted to have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in our 40th year,” says CEO Maria Vinner. “This prestigious award is the highest recognition possible for VCSE groups in the UK and we would like to thank everyone who supports us in the work we do.
“This award recognises the dedication, commitment and passion of all of the women with a lived experience of maternal mental illness who have generously given their time, skills and compassion to support others.”
Mothers for Mothers is based in south Bristol and offers a range of services. Photo: Mothers for Mothers
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, created in 2002 and in 2021 awarded to 241 charities, recognises “outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities”, and Mothers for Mothers will receive their award from Peaches Golding, lord lieutenant of Bristol, in summer.
“We are so proud that our wonderful team have been honoured in this way,” says Maria. “It is very emotional to think about all the families that they have supported over 40 years.
“The women who we walk alongside on their journey to recovery are the inspiration for all that we do. This honours their bravery.”
Main photo: Mothers for Mothers
Read more: Hartcliffe charity supporting mothers with their mental health turns 40
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