Strengthening the Roots

Well, it's now a month and a half since leaders and workers of perinatal mental health VCSE organisations got together for a fun, enriching and thought-provoking day.

Aimed at creating space for real human connection, whilst exploring equity, diversity, equality and inclusion in grassroots perinatal mental health, Strengthening the Roots was a core part of the Hearts & Minds Partnership's Trusted Spaces workstream this year.

We're passionate about supporting any grassroots service whose aim is to provide meaningful, compassion-led, mental health support to families during the perinatal period. Our role is to connect, support and celebrate this wonderful sector, and what better way to do it than to bring you all together in real life?

Strengthening the Roots took place on Monday 19th May at The Studio in Birmingham. The centre of the country seemed like a sensible option considering delegates were coming from far and wide. We knew The Studio was a fantastic, bright, and accessible venue, having already used it for our first ever meet-up in 2023.

The day was facilitated by the core Hearts & Minds team (Sarah, Mel and Abi) along with our amazing EDEI Root Makers: Aileen White (My Birth Support CiC), Alex Paterson, Ameena Rahman (Sister Circle), Lauren Parr (Make Birth Better) and Manisha Sheth (Support Me CiC)*. Our Evaluation Partners supported facilitation too: Ang Broadbridge (Ways to Wellness), Laura Richmond, Dave Salisbury (Clear Impact Consulting) and Sharon Coaker. You can find out more about all of us and our backgrounds here.

*Our sixth Root Maker, Matt Taylor-Roberts from Proud 2 b Parents couldn't make it - we missed you, Matt!

The purposes of the day were to:

• Create a bit of breathing space for VCSE workers & leaders

• Enable connection and sharing amongst the community

• Stimulate new thoughts and change-making conversations

• Explore EDEI in a safe, accessible and supportive way

• Embrace warmth and safety as much as knowledge and progression

The agenda for the day included:

• A heartfelt welcome from the whole H&M team

• Plenty of time and space for refreshments, chatting, lunch and comfort breaks - some of them out on the sunny terrace

• Networking opportunities including an activity involving jigsaw pieces and mystery quotes

• Topic-based workshops led by peers in the sector

• Insights into current H&M evaluation methods from our Evaluation Partners

• The chance to get deeper insights into the Partnership and opportunities for engagement

Workshop experiences included:

BABY LOSS & DIFFERENCE

A confidential forum for professionals to explore diverse experiences of baby loss through various identity perspectives and cultural lenses.

Led by Manisha Sheth (H&M Root Maker) and Matt Whitehouse from the Lily Mae Foundation).

MAKING THE MOST OF EDEI RESEARCH

An interactive workshop supporting you to demonstrate the impact of the work you do.

Led by Laura Richmond (H&M Evaluation Partner), Rachael Clohesy (Mums Aid) + Alex Paterson (H&M Root Maker)

GOOD PRACTICE GARDEN

Cultivating the essential elements for a thriving service, overcoming challenges and fostering growth for both organisations and the beneficiaries they serve.

Led by Ameena Rahmna (H&M Root Maker) + Mel Williamson (H&M)

WORKING WITH INTERSECTIONALITY

An 'in-real-life' Listening Lounge workshop for discussion, peer learning and creativity - exploring intersectionality in practice and deepening our collective understanding.

Led by Aileen White + Lauren Parr (H&M Root Makers) and Slade Riverfield (The Queer Parenting Partnership)

NO PARENT LEFT BEHIND

A creative Wordplay session focusing on differences and exclusions within the perinatal experience.

Led by Maggie Gordon Walker (Mothers Uncovered)

If you'd like to see any of the workshop materials or the agenda in a bit more detail, please click the button below.

Strengthening the Roots - delegate pack

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As you can imagine, we're still pulling together the wealth of evaluation material contributed by delegates on the day and beyond. However, here is a snapshot of some of the feedback on Strengthening the Roots:

Social Media Coverage

Quotes and Reflections:

"I really enjoyed the event, thank you so much for putting it together. It was wonderful to get out and meet other people doing some brilliant things, and I came away feeling quite reassured that we are doing a great job with the tiny resources we do have."

"The Hearts and Minds event was excellent, one of the best events I have ever been to, the detail was amazing, I loved the baskets on the table, the thoughtful gifts and how everyone was able to start chatting while choosing a gift made it easy to talk to everyone on the table."

"It was a good thing to listen to, think about and take back to our charity. Slade was amazing." (Re: Working with Intersectionality workshop)

"Such great conversations with a great group of people, we could have continued talking for hours." (Re: Baby Loss & Difference workshop)

"Strengthening the Roots was truly a day to remember, a powerful reminder of the unique, sensitive and compassionate sector we're proud to be part of."

Hearts & Minds Word Cloud

This word cloud represents words delegates used in terms of their feelings and values of engaging with the Hearts & Minds Partnership, particularly at Strengthening the Roots.

Feedback Form Questions:

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So what's next?

Whilst we're delighted with the positive feedback around Strengthening the Roots, we recognise there is still so much work to do. A commitment to EDEI is just that - a commitment, and we're always learning. What's important to us, is that we continue to share that learning (as well as explore it, embrace it and challenge it) with the VCSE community so we can all work towards a more inclusive, accessible and equitable perinatal mental health journey for ALL families.

So watch this space for more Trusted Spaces, a constantly improving digital map and our ever evolving training platform, Smart Space.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone involved in Strengthening the Roots:

• All of the amazing delegates

• People who interacted online

• Our Root Makers and Evaluation Partners

• Our guest facilitators

• Our core partner charities, Smile Group and Acacia Family Support

• Staff at The Studio

• Our video and photography documenters, Citizen Click

• Our funders, the National Lottery Community Fund

See you next time!

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NB: If you're seeing this blog post before 15th July 2025, you've still got time to book your FREE space on our next online Listening Lounge with the subject of:

Am I Allowed? - how consent shapes our experience of birth

Tues 15th July 2025

1.30 - 3pm

ONLINE

Find out more and book here!