AN ‘invaluable’ weekly support group for new and expectant mums whose abrupt closure sparked concern about its long-term future will continue after a petition was signed by more than 300 people.
The Mums Understanding Mums (MUMs) group, which has run weekly at Lightbox @ the Library in the town centre for several years, was described by parents as a ‘lifeline’.
The Barnsley Hospital-run scheme offers professional mental health support from midwives and also provides a space to make friends with those in a similar position.
Petitioners called for the service to be protected, fearing the temporary break - which came into effect several weeks ago - could lead to longer-term disruption.
The petition said: “This is an essential mental health group for those who are pregnant and those with children up to six months old.
“Led by mental health-trained midwives Yasmeen Akhtar and Lynn Clay, this service is an essential support system for both prenatal and postnatal women in our community.
“Their expertise, compassion and consistency have been a vital lifeline to many women and, by extension, their children.
“While there may be other services in Barnsley that support new mothers, MUMs is uniquely positioned in both its approach and impact.
“MUMs is the only service we are aware of in the Barnsley area that provides consistent, specialised support to women during pregnancy, not just after childbirth.
“Women are welcomed as early as their first trimester and can attend up until their child reaches six months.
“Many return for support in subsequent pregnancies, which speaks volumes about the trust and reliability they associate with this group.
“Yasmeen and Lynn have worked tirelessly to create a safe, nurturing environment where women can connect, share, and receive mental health-informed care.
“Their presence brings familiarity and reassurance during one of the most vulnerable periods of a woman’s life.
“Unlike other services, MUMs provides prenatal mental health support in a group setting, which fosters peer connection and reduces the overwhelming sense of isolation that often accompanies new motherhood.
“Equally important is the group’s postnatal offering - while many local services focus on infant development, MUMs centres around the wellbeing of the mother - a perspective that is often overlooked.
“Each week, more than 30 women attend this group within just a two-hour window - without MUMs, many of these women might require far more resource-intensive interventions such as one-to-one midwifery care, GP appointments or even inpatient services.
“By preventing crisis and providing early intervention, the MUMs group offers exceptional value for the NHS and the broader health system.
“In short, this service is not just wanted - it is needed.
“The number of women who regularly attend, and who have benefited from MUMs over the years, is a testament to its importance.
“Its loss would leave a significant gap in care that no other local service currently fills.”
However, the Chronicle can reveal that its future has been safeguarded this week, with hospital bosses confirming that sessions will re-commence.
A spokesperson added: “During the lay-off, the hospital directed people to alternative support services via social media, including women’s named midwives, GPs and health visitors, Barnsley’s ‘Family Hubs’ and Barnsley Talking Therapies.
“We are pleased to confirm that the MUMs group will re-commence regularly in September.
“We thank people for their understanding and would encourage them to follow updates on our social media about when the group will resume.”
