New community group launched to support mums’ mental wellbeing in Tameside

A new community interest company has been launched in Tameside with the aim of supporting mums who may be struggling with isolation, anxiety and the pressure of putting everyone else first.

Beyond Mama CIC has been set up by local mum Becci, who lives in Stalybridge, after her own experiences of motherhood and mental health highlighted a gap in support for women once their babies arrive.

“Beyond Mama is about helping women, but specifically mums,” Becci explained. “So many mums feel isolated, anxious or overwhelmed, and often lose sight of who they are beyond the role of being ‘just mum’. This is about reconnecting with yourself as a person, not just as a parent.”

The first programme, called Emerging, launches on February 1 and will run until the end of March at The Hideaway in Stalybridge. It consists of six small-group, in-person sessions delivered over several weeks, with a maximum of eight mums per group.

Each session has a different theme and gently builds week by week. Activities include breathwork, meditation, journalling, visualisation and practical tools to help calm the nervous system. Participants are also given reflective exercises to complete between sessions.

“Bringing mums together is a huge part of it,” Becci said. “A lot of people feel like they’re the only one struggling, but when you sit in a room with others who feel the same, it can be really powerful.”

The sessions are deliberately child-free, something Becci feels is essential to the ethos of Beyond Mama.

“If the children are there, your focus is automatically split,” she explained. “So much support for mums revolves around the baby, but this is time just for them. It’s about asking, ‘How are you?’”

To ensure the programme is accessible, Becci successfully secured external funding, allowing the sessions to be offered free of charge. The aim is to reach mums who may struggle to prioritise themselves, including single parents or those who would otherwise be unable to afford support.

“I didn’t want cost to be a barrier,” she said. “Often the people who need this most are the ones who feel guilty spending money or time on themselves.”

Alongside the sessions, participants will be invited to join a WhatsApp support group, helping them stay connected throughout the programme and beyond. Becci will also use questionnaires before, after and six months following the course to measure its longer-term impact.

Beyond Mama CIC was officially registered in November, while Becci was on maternity leave with her second child. She also has a five-year-old daughter and says her own journey into motherhood, particularly during the Covid lockdowns, was a key inspiration.

Becci told the Reporter: “My daughter was a Covid baby, and the isolation and anxiety were intense. I also had a traumatic first birth, which left me with a lot of fear. The second time, with the right support, meditation and visualisation, I had a really positive experience. That made me realise how powerful these tools can be.”

Becci has since trained as a holistic life coach and mind-body practitioner, focusing on the connection between mental and physical wellbeing. She now balances running Beyond Mama alongside working three days a week at the University of Manchester.

In addition to the Emerging programme, Beyond Mama also offers monthly meditation sessions, one-off workshops such as wreath-making and vision board events, and one-to-one support. Future programmes are planned to focus on anxiety, intrusive thoughts and body image, as well as potential sessions for pregnant women and couples.

“I want this to grow organically, I’m excited, but I’m also mindful of my own wellbeing and family life. It’s about practising what I preach.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the upcoming programme can register their interest online here. Places are limited, but a waiting list will be kept for future courses. Becci can also be contacted on becci.beyondmama@gmail.com