Guest blog by Abby Hopewell
Over the course of this pandemic, I have really missed seeing people, meeting new families and holding space for them when they’ve been finding it difficult.
Like many people, Covid-19 scuppered many plans I had for this year. I had pictured increasing the support for local parents, both antenatally and postnatally but then lockdown happened.
One of my plans was to run a Pregnancy Supper Club – an evening meal in a lovely restaurant where pregnant people could come along, meet others, chat, eat yummy food, listen to a set topic and go home with a goodie bag and a phone full of contacts for support going forward. It was going to be great – parents setting up those support networks right from the off… and then Covid.
The Pregnancy Supper Club went on the back burner during lockdown while I juggled working and raising my four smalls with my husband who has worked throughout.
That is until last week when I came across a thread on a facebook group; it was full of mums saying how lonely they were and how isolated they felt and it broke my heart.
There has been a sense of grief for some parents; mourning an experience that those before them took for granted and a feeling that they have had the rug pulled from under them. Yes, Zoom classes can be great, but there’s just something special about in-person support.
With a renewed fire in my belly, I decided to go ahead with my plans now that lockdown is easing and I launched the Pregnancy Cake Club. We may not be able to realistically meet up as a group in a restaurant just yet, but we can still eat yummy cakes and scones, have drinks, chat, listen to expert advice and yes, have a goodie bag! These informal sessions are a great way to meet people in a casual way with no pressure as you can interact as little or as much as you like.
The first Pregnancy Cake Club is currently being held in Conisbrough, Doncaster, DN12 – and will of course be done at a safe distance and with hand sanitiser available. Spaces are VERY limited because of government restrictions, you can book your 2 hour treat here.
Parents – you matter! I’m so sorry that some of you have missed out and felt so alone; I see you and I’m here.
“It takes a village to raise a child” – let’s build that village, together.
Abby is a Birth and Postnatal Doula, a Babywearing Consultant and a mother of four young children including twins. Abby runs the local Noah’s Arc Sling Library in Doncaster as well as co-running Noah’s Arc Nappy Library in Doncaster.
