Some news to share from Abi...
- Abi Yardimci
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
After almost five years working at the Hearts & Minds Partnership, and after very careful deliberation, I've decided to step back.
Although I'm excited to focus on my own next steps, this has still been a difficult decision. Hearts & Minds has been an important part of my life and I am fortunate to have worked alongside some of the most passionate, compassionate and inspiring people I have ever met.
I first joined Hearts & Minds in January 2022 whilst also working as a peer support 'buddy' with Bluebell Care who were part of the original Partnership. I had my own lived experience of perinatal depression, multiple loss, raising a bi-cultural family and navigating neurodivergence in parenthood, which meant I already cared deeply about perinatal mental health. Whilst I supported parents from all walks of life down here in Devon, Hearts & Minds encouraged me to lift my head, look out across the sector and develop an intrinsic understanding of the national picture.
Whilst I knew this sector was vibrant and remarkably committed, I couldn’t have anticipated just how much I would learn from the grassroots VCSE organisations, practitioners, volunteers, and leaders. Every conversation, collaboration and challenge has taught me something valuable about community, courage, creativity and - above all - the importance of connection.
One of the greatest privileges of my role has been witnessing the extraordinary work happening across the country, often quietly, behind the scenes and against significant challenges. The dedication and innovation within the beating hearts of these services continues to amaze me. It is a sector built not only on expertise and rigour, but on true empathy.
I want to take a moment, too, to emphasise the authentic commitment I am witnessing from services to ensure ALL families can access the support they need. Everywhere I look, there are VCSE leaders and workers knuckling down, doing the work they need to do in order to embody an inclusive ethos that is truly person-centred, individually responsive and imbued with deep respect.
Equity, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are no longer buzz words - they are meaningful necessities for everyone. I am proud that Hearts & Minds - along with our amazing team of Root Makers - has been able to offer support, encourage change and spotlight those in our community who are leading the way. We need to keep going together.
I'm stepping away from Hearts & Minds to pursue my own creative ambitions in writing, art and celebrancy. As I do so, I will be carrying everything I have learned with me. The values of connection, creativity, compassion and community that sit at the heart of this work are what drew me to the Partnership in the first place. They'll never leave me and will undoubtedly shape my next steps.
I write this post at a time when the financial stability for Hearts & Minds is unclear. It is my sincere hope is that this beautiful and vital work will continue and I'll do everything I can to help work towards that before I leave in the middle of August.
The Partnership has created something genuinely special: a space that connects, supports and empowers the grassroots perinatal mental health community. I know many people across the sector share my belief that this work matters and deserves a bright and glittering future.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. It has been an honour to work alongside you and to play a small role in such an important movement.
With gratitude and hope,
Abi
You can reach Abi at Hearts & Minds before 13th August at: abi@heartsandmindspartnership.org
You can reach Abi after 13th August at: info@abigailyardimci.com or www.abigailyardimci.com
