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It is with great pleasure that I would like to introduce another group who will be speaking at the perinatal mental health conference and exhibition on 23rd September at Salford. This is also the launch event for my second book ‘Another Twinkle in the Eye – contemplating another pregnancy after perinatal mental illness’.

I believe that there is a growing ‘sisterhood’ of support for sufferers of perinatal mental illness. This may be due to the fact that we all feel that our expected ‘happy’ time of pregnancy and early motherhood was stolen from us by the illness and therefore we want to help others to maximise support and reduce isolation.  I have done this as an individual – others have formed groups from a joint interest and recognised need in their locality. One of these groups will be having a stand and speaking on the 23rd.

‘The SMILE Group was set up in 2011 by two mums, Natalie Nuttall and Ruth Eglin, who both had experience of postnatal depression and found a gap in community support when they needed it most. As a registered charity, The SMILE Group provides weekly peer support sessions out of Children’s Centres in Macclesfield and Congleton, offering signposting services to families affected by perinatal mental illness in Cheshire.

The SMILE team are very passionate about providing support and guidance to vulnerable mums and dads through what can be an extremely debilitating experience.

The event is particularly pertinent for Natalie who had her second baby, Violet, six months ago after experiencing severe PND following the birth of her son in 2010. Natalie’s second experience of early motherhood has been a positive one, which she credits to the incredible support of family, friends and the SMILE team, her self awareness, expectations and confidence as a parent.’

The featured photograph shows some of their group recently at an event they were invited to at Buckingham Palace due to their great work!

Please come along and meet some of the ladies – perhaps they will inspire you to do a similar group in your locality?

Booking details here – use code PERINATAL25 for a 25% discount. All delegates will receive a copy of the book on the day.

We will shortly be releasing a LIMITED number of places for students and parents for just £40 plus VAT. Watch this blog for details when this will be released!

* There is now a pre-order price for £16.99 including P & P via my publishers here for my new book.

Looking forward to meeting many of you on 23rd September.

Best wishes

Elaine 🙂