The Motherhood Group

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NHS Problem

The Motherhood Group addresses stark maternal health disparities faced by Black women in the UK. Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women, with higher rates of complications. They are 13% more likely to experience perinatal mental health issues but least likely to receive adequate support. Black mothers often face isolation and lack culturally competent care, leading to poorer outcomes and experiences. The absence of peer support and culturally relevant resources exacerbates these issues. This results in significant human costs and increased financial burden on the NHS due to higher rates of interventions, extended hospital stays, and long-term health implications. Our solution leverages lived experiences to reshape the system and provide crucial peer support

The Solution

The Motherhood Group is a pioneering organisation dedicated to improving Black maternal health outcomes in the UK. We deliver peer support, conferences, events, and research engagement, while training healthcare practitioners in culturally competent care. Our new Blackmums app digitalises and expands our impact, offering personalised support throughout the maternal journey. It provides culturally tailored content, community connections, expert guidance from healthcare professionals, and mental health resources specifically designed for Black mothers. The app features pregnancy tracking, peer support matching, live audio sessions, and educational resources. By addressing the unique needs of Black mothers, we aim to reduce health disparities and provide a supportive ecosystem for women navigating pregnancy and early motherhood. 

Impact

The Motherhood Group has already made significant strides in improving Black maternal health outcomes in the UK:

  • Conferences and Awareness: We’ve hosted the largest Black maternal health conference in the UK and run the annual Black Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week for ffive years, reaching thousands of mothers, practitioners, NHS trusts, and charities.
  • Direct Support: Over the past years, we’ve supported more than 4,000 mothers through our peer-to-peer support workshops, events, and engagement activities.
  • Mental Health Support: We’ve delivered over 400 counselling sessions to Black mothers struggling during pregnancy or with children under one-year-old.
  • Creative Engagement: Through partnerships with charities, we’ve delivered engagement sessions using art, music, and creativity to support Black mothers.
  • Healthcare Professional Training: We’ve trained over 2,000 healthcare practitioners across the UK, including in NHS trusts in Kent, Medway, Sussex, Liverpool, and Manchester, enhancing culturally competent care.
  • Community Building: Our events and support groups have created a strong network for Black mothers, reducing isolation and promoting peer support.
  • Advocacy and Research: Our work has contributed to increased awareness and research into Black maternal health disparities.

Looking ahead, our Blackmums app aims to digitise and scale this impact:

  • Digital Reach: We aim to support an additional 30,000 Black mothers in London annually through the app.
  • Improved Outcomes: We target a 20% reduction in severe pregnancy complications and a 30% increase in early detection of perinatal mental health issues among our users.
  • NHS Cost Savings: By reducing complications and improving overall maternal health, we estimate potential savings of £5-10 million annually for the NHS.