Royal visit for Home-Start Hillingdon highlights the power of integrated working in perinatal mental health
The Princess of Wales paid a special visit to Colham Manor Children’s Centre in Hillingdon recently, where she met with mothers supported by Home-Start Hillingdon.
The Princess spent time talking to mothers who shared their heartwarming experiences of how Home-Start Hillingdon has helped them. She also met with representatives from agencies working across perinatal services in Hillingdon.
The visit was part of an event hosted by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance to celebrate the life-changing impact that integrated, holistic care can have for mothers experiencing perinatal mental health issues.
Discussions highlighted how effective collaboration between health, social care services, and the voluntary and community sector is ensuring that every touchpoint of a mother’s journey before, during and after pregnancy provides the support needed for their mental health needs.
Shanitta Campbell, Mum supported by Home-Start Hillingdon said “It was nice to be able to share my experience and tell my story of how I got involved with Home-Start, and how far I’ve come since then. I have five children and I have never had this much support and help. Since Home-Start came into our lives, I never feel like I’m alone.”
Clare Nazerali, Director of Home-Start Hillingdon said “It was a pleasure to have the Princess of Wales see first-hand the collaborative work we do here in Hillingdon and the impact this has had in the community. Home-Start’s role makes a huge difference in these women’s lives.”
The support provided by Home-Start Hillingdon is part of Home-Start London’s Perinatal Mental Health Peer Support Project run in partnership with Central and Northwest London (CNWL) NHS Trust. The project supports mothers with mild to moderate perinatal mental health needs across five London boroughs. Support is provided by Home-Start Hillingdon; Home-Start Barnet, Brent, Enfield and Harrow; and Home-Start Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham.
Find out more about Home-Start London’s Peer Support Perinatal Mental Health project in partnership with CNWL.