Advocacy and Support for Young Mums - Mas Project

Hi, I’m Jennifer and I am the MAS young mums project worker within WRDA.

WRDA’s vision is of a fair and equal society where women are empowered and are a visible force for change and influence in all areas of life. WRDA works regionally to advance women’s equality and participation in society.

The young mums MAS(Maternal Advocacy and Support) project funded by Pilgrim Trust, provides maternal mental health support to women aged 16-25 who are pregnant and/ or who have children up to the age of 3.

We are aware that being a young mum comes with a unique set of challenges and we hope that young women attending the Mas young mums project will benefit from peer support, a conversation based support group where they can make positive friendships and support each other on their motherhood journey.

Young women will also engage in a range of activities and workshops to support their mental health, promote emotional wellbeing, encourage personal development. In addition, we will listen to the young mums about their own powerful lived experiences to gather their views, advocate for service improvement and map out a vision for change.

Our work is underpinned by the 5 Mind and McPinn principles to ensure the young mums’ experience within the group is:

• Safe – fosters a culture of trust and empathy.

• Inclusive – Takes proactive steps to ensure equal access.

• Complementary – collaborate with clinical services but distinct.

• Informed – design and delivery led by people with lived experience.

• Reciprocal – enable peer supporters to benefit from their involvement.

The young mums groups have made short videos of their lived experiences as young mums in collaboration with Wheel works and Funded by PHA Clear Funding, this gives us a real insight into the resilience, wisdom and strength of young mums:

Having twenty years youth work experience, supporting young people in a range of settings and locations all over the world, I am delighted to finally have the opportunity to work specifically with young mothers in NI. I believe this particular area of work is such a privilege and I’m really enjoying getting to know the young mums on our project, getting alongside them, to cheer them on, to listen to their stories and hear their views. Through the MAS young mums programme I will pour my heart and soul into advocating for young mums and ensuring they have support during their motherhood journey.

I hope my professional and personal life experiences will help me to connect and empathise with mums on the project and show them that health, happiness and hope is possible.

I have also recently completed a Masters Degree in Psychological Trauma and my research was based on the needs of Young Mums in Northern Ireland. The title of my research is “What are the needs of young mums (18-25years old) in Northern Ireland and what are the benefits of peer support in addressing those needs? “Listening, Learning, Lifting Up – Meeting the real needs of young mums”. The study revealed that peer support is an effective Trauma Informed Approach in supporting young mums because at the heart of this model is connection, safety and co-regulation and key therapeutic relationships.

If you would like to find out more about MAS young mums project, please get in touch, it would be lovely to chat with you.