Story
At Room to Heal, we support refugees and people seeking asylum who have survived torture, trafficking and other gross human rights violations, and who are now living in exile in London.
Many members of our community continue to experience severe psychological trauma, have feelings of loneliness and shame, experience a lack of trust and self worth, and some have suicidal thoughts or intentions.
Some of our community members become new parents whilst they are at Room to Heal. New mothers, and those with young children, have told us they struggle to access our therapy groups because it’s difficult for them to make the long journey across London to reach our groups and to find appropriate childcare.
Adjusting to life as a new parent can be difficult at the best of times - with interrupted sleep, increased isolation and worries about how to bring up a child - and our members who are new mothers have talked to us about feeling extremely isolated, with no one to turn to, and this being a period of extreme distress.
In response, this year we’ve been piloting a new online support group for mothers, so they can attend remotely from their accommodation, and no longer have to worry about travel or lack of suitable childcare.
I enjoy when we share our stories. When I share my own story, I feel like I belong in the group. Because we are all in the same situation.”
We’ve also been running a new family social group where new mothers, their partners and young children can meet up, build safe new relationships and reduce their significant isolation.
We can be in the group and be with our kids at the same time… I always worry about my kid, so it makes me feel really comfortable. I really like it.”
We urgently need funding to continue supporting mothers in 2024. Please would you donate now to help reduce their isolation, build their confidence and improve their mental wellbeing?
£100 could pay for an online group session for up to 10 mothers
£50 could pay for 2 casework sessions to help mothers with practical support, such as housing, healthcare and welfare issues
£30 could pay for a playworker to give the children an hour of fun and creative activities
£10 could pay for travel costs for a mother or father to attend the family social group
£5 could pay for refreshments for a family at one of our family social groups
Every donation, however big or small, will help support mothers, their partners and their young children, helping everyone feel more supported, more able to cope and more positive about their future. Thank you.