Ways to Wellness feature in the NENC Women’s Health Conference 2023

Test and learn collaborative prototyping for improved maternal mental health across NE and North Cumbria Geographical Area

Text taken from page 46 of the North East & North Cumbria Women’s Health Conference 2023 Abstract Summary. For full document click here.

The aim was to develop place-based, co-produced prototypes creating opportunities to integrate VCSE provision and peer support in meaningful way, co-producing new models of maternal mental health.

Novel social prescribing link work prototypes launched in four areas of NENC hosted in VCSE. Developing responsive non-clinical support for women experiencing mild-moderate mental health needs with focus on health inequalities related to pre-conception, pregnancy, loss and post-natal support through lens of trauma, loss and fear.

Collaborative project led by Ways to Wellness, with funding and support through successful bid by NENC Mental Health ICS and Perinatal MH Clinical Network team to NHSE Fast Follower programme. The project has been a catalyst for innovative collaboration across NHS, primary care, academia, VCSE, VONNE, local authorities (with Family Hubs), Maternity Voices Partnership coming together under project Steering Group.

Steering Group launched quarterly learning workshops to maximise impact bringing crosssector partners together around women’s health across region. April 2023 launched Mosaic of Maternal Mental Health factors working with women with lived experience and frontline staff across the collaboration to develop an understanding of the intersection of issues we support women with including but not limited to poverty and cost of living impact, domestic violence, rural isolation, teenage parenthood, child removal, migrant and refugee women and women from minoritised ethnic communities.

Interim evaluation published April 2023. Read more about this project here.

Contact: project lead Ang Broadbridge at ang.broadbridge@waystowellness.org.uk