How mums can support other parents in Hey Mama letter project

Trish Pedley, who lives in Idle, has been open about the struggles she faced after becoming a first time mum.

It sparked the creation of Hey Mama, a safe space for mums to have frank conversations with cups of tea and toys.

Trish picked up her words of wisdom whilst recovering from post natal depression and anxiety. 

The births of her two children were vastly different experiences, she said.

“I didn’t feel very confident,” Trish said. 

Trish Pedley, founder of Hey Mama, writes a letter to mothers across Bradford district (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

“I didn’t feel like I was listened to in my first birth. For the second one I wanted to go in feeling like I got my point across. I felt completely different afterwards, physically and emotionally.

“I couldn’t believe how different I felt and put out a survey around the area on Facebook asking if people would share their experiences of birth, pregnancy, and the post natal part. From there I focused on mental health. 

“I had 140 mums get in touch and share their experiences.”

Hey Mama now has regular small meet up’s at cafes every week - including Shipley and Leeds - as well as summer events such as picnics. 

“A mother’s workload is ridiculous sometimes” the charity founder said.

“Parenting is never ending.

“Social media shows the perfect, ‘this is what you could do’, mums with makeup and hair done, it’s not realistic. When you’re in that headspace of ‘I’m not coping’ and it seems everybody’s coping, we don’t talk about it enough.

“I want to be that voice to say it’s not always fun and lovely.”

Trish Pedley, founder of Hey Mama, writes one of her 'Letters of Hope' (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Trish has now launched a new letter writing project where mums can write supportive or helpful messages about different stages of raising children.

It is hoped the letters will reach families being supported by charities across the district - whether it’s miscarriage and traumatic births to words of wisdom and reminders to eat.

Trish said: “It’s a letter saying you know what, I’ve been there or I’m in it, it will get better.

“It’s encouragement really.

“There’s always somebody that is feeling the same way you are. It’s really important to keep talking, seek advice, and get help.”

Trish hopes to launch a similar project for dads in the coming months. 

To write a letter online, visit bit.ly/sendaletterofhope

Alternatively you can send a direct message to the Hey Mama Instagram page if you wish to send a handwritten note.