A NEW scheme has been launched to encourage businesses and organisations to provide a welcoming environment for women who have recently given birth to go to.

The aim of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s ‘Compassion for Mums Well-being’ scheme is to make locations in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, including cafes, museums and libraries, a place where every mum feels welcome to go to with their baby.

Many women feel nervous about going out in public with their babies and may choose not to, leading to social isolation and impacting negatively on their emotional wellbeing.

Perinatal mental health affects up to 20 per cent of women during pregnancy and in their first year after giving birth.

By signing up to the scheme businesses and organisations can help show they welcome and support new mums and their families by displaying an easily recognisable Compassion for Mums Well-being sticker.

Organisations will also share information with their staff and volunteers about why taking part is important to support parent-infant wellbeing.

Mother-of-two Amy Harrison, 33, welcomed the launch of the scheme and said: “The Compassion for Mums Well-being scheme would have encouraged me to go out much earlier and meet other mums locally, which I didn’t have the confidence to do initially.

"I really struggled with two children for the first 12 months as I could never manage a double pram, two high chairs, feeding one and breast feeding another, changing areas, let alone eat anything myself.

"I sometimes found after returning from the toilet with them my table had been cleared by staff despite my pram and belongings still being there and it just wasn’t worth the hassle."

She added: "A scheme like this where staff are encouraged to have empathy and an understanding would have really helped me and I’m sure other mums in a similar situation. I would definitely have done a search of local places for the identifiable sticker and would have planned to meet friends there as it would be a friendly and non-judgemental venue.”

Care Trust staff will offer short training sessions with organisations that are signed up to the scheme to help raise awareness.

Lisa Milne, Clinical Lead for Perinatal Mental Health at the Trust, said: “I encourage our local businesses and communities to show their support, signing up only takes a minute and can make a real difference.

"We are also asking our mums to nominate places where they feel relaxed in the local area and we will get in touch with the places to encourage them to join the scheme. The scheme gives businesses and community settings a simple way to support children’s health and help reduce isolation which can be a real challenge for new parents.”

Jo Jones, Community Perinatal Nursery Nurse, added: “Signing up is easy, email compassionformumswell-being@bdct.nhs.uk to register your interest and join the scheme or to nominate a venue.

"All venues that sign up will receive a sticker to display in their door or window to show they are part of the scheme, they will also be included on ‘compassion for mums’ well-being’ venues.”