Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Third Sector Service Directory
Find Support Near You

Description:

Online sessions including parent & child sessions, family disco, peer support groups, daily bedtime story, activity ideas etc. Telephone support – regular phonecall offering emotional support. Practical support – food, baby food, formula, nappies, children’s preloved clothing and goods. Only available to families in Drumchapel, Knightswood and Yoker

Description:

Our trained befrienders lead support groups for bereaved parents in the Aberdeen and Moray areas.  We also have groups for next pregnancy and run various support and remembrance events. 

Description:

We support women in Forth Valley with their emotional health and wellbeing. We offer befriending  support to the mother, her partner, and immediate family from pregnancy to their child’s first birthday. 

Our goal is to help families thrive, while also recognising the importance of wider family relationships. Our support is tailored to support the families needs.

Referrals via midwife, health visitor, social work, voluntary sector referral

Description:

We provide emotional support for  families and their babies in Lothian. We’re here to support parents during pregnancy and up to their child’s first birthday. We provide support in the hospital, community or at home depending on the family’s situation and preferences. We also offer emotional support for families with babies who have received neonatal care at the Royal  Infirmary in Edinburgh.

Referral Pathways: midwife, health visitor, social work, voluntary sector referral

Description:

Aberlour Whole Family Support is available to all pregnant woman and their families throughout Angus for as long as needed. Support is tailored to meet individual circumstances and may include:

• Support through pregnancy and once baby has arrived
• Support with other children in the home
• Support to and from appointments, shops, parks
• Regular home visits or telephone calls on a day and time which suits families
• Practical support, such as helping with cleaning, decluttering and offering parents a break
• Social, emotional and therapeutic support to enhance parenting capacity towards babies and children
• Advocacy ensuring families voices are heard and they get the support they need
• Linking families to community supports, accompanying them to baby groups making community connections
• Opportunities to connect in person with other parents and babies

Description:

At Aching Arms we primarily offer comfort bears, which are gifted from one bereaved family to another, in the hope that parents feel less alone. At Aching Arms we believe that there is no support like that of another bereaved parent, therefore we also offer email, text,  telephone and video call support to anyone who would like to speak to someone who has been where they are. We are predominantly bereaved parents at Aching Arms and know the impact and comfort of speaking to another bereaved parent. We also host a monthly remote Dad’s group, bringing bereaved Dad’s together to find support in sharing experiences.  Please contact us, you don’t have to go through this alone.

Description:

Peer Support is offered on a moderated online forum, via one-to-one video call, via email support or by meeting a volunteer. There is also an online support group for partners.

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Amina MWRC’s free national helpline offers confidential, faith and culturally sensitive support for Muslim and BME women across Scotland. Whether you’re looking for emotional support or practical guidance, we’re here to help. Our tailored services include a compassionate listening ear through our helpline, Islamic advice from a qualified scholar, immigration support through our dedicated clinic, one-to-one befriending, specialist domestic abuse support through our Sahara Scotland service, financial advocacy, and employability support.

Description:

Amma Birth Companions is a Glasgow charity that provides care information, and advocacy for birthing people facing barriers to support. We offer birth and postnatal companionship, along with antenatal education and peer support activities.

Our volunteers undergo 50+ hours of training to deliver specialist trauma informed, culturally competent care to birthing people throughout the perinatal period. Our companions work in teams to provide continuous practical and emotional support to expectant parents. Support is offered from the third trimester of pregnancy until a few weeks following birth.

We also offer peer support activities, antenatal education and advocacy.

Self referrals welcome

Description:

Our small professional helpline team can provide information and support to parents through antenatal screening and its consequences. The team is skilled at containing contacts who have had unexpected or difficult news about their baby’s development. We provide specialised help when a prenatal diagnosis of a genetic or structural condition is made. We aim to help parents gather all the information and support they need to make the individual decisions that are right for them. ARC also helps parents cope with the consequences of their decisions.

Self referral Welcome

Description:

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Telephone and online counselling and therapy services that offers safe, non judgemental, confidential and specialist services in: Individual Counselling, Relationship Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychosexual Therapy and Art Therapy. (Price varies: £40 – £70 depending on the service.)

Description:

We offer a range of support services to anyone affected by the loss of a baby at any stage, this support includes support meetings, online support, and telephone support. We also offer a number of remembrance options for families to remember their baby, such as a Christmas service, memorial trees and books.

Description:

Face to face and online counselling service to families after the loss of their baby at any stage. Counselling /Psychological support can be done face to face in a safe environment to open up and be heard.

We also provide anti-natal support for future pregnancies after a loss.

We offer 2 days away to the retreats in Scotland.

Self Referrals Welcome

Description:

This is a parent led charity which aims to provide community to young children and their carers, parents or parents-to-be. We operate 3 mornings a week. We employ 2 play leaders and voluntary committee members and parents run the group.

Refreshments & activities provided and an outdoor space.

Contact biggarplaygroup@gmail.com or BiggarBabiesandToddlers@gmail.com to find the appropriate Peer Support.

Description:

Our support and information service is here to help parents and families of premature and sick babies. Our trained staff are here to offer emotional support and help you find the information you need. We understand that the experience of being on a neonatal unit can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful. If you are a parent, grandparent, relative or friend please get in touch via hello@bliss.org.uk and our team will help you with any queries you have to help you through your neonatal journey.

Self Referrals Welcome

Description:

Breastfeeding support by trained volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporters (who have breastfed their own children and received training to support others) at local Breast Buddies groups across Tayside, through 1-2-1 text support, WhatsApp groups and online. You can be matched with a trained peer supporter who will contact you by text message initially. You can ask questions, find information and receive support to help you through some of the challenges you may face while feeding and caring for your baby. We can provide support, information and encouragement to work through various challenges faced by new parents such as positioning & attachment, responsive feeding, cluster feeding, sleep, starting solids etc.

Description:

This professional face to face, on-line and phone counselling will provide a non judgemental confidential safe space to help build confidence as a parent, build resilience as a couple/ individual, to  manage your stress and anxiety so you’re able to cope now and in the future. Families are all shapes and sizes and we warmly welcome all people.

Description:

Bump Start is a support service for pregnant women and their partners living in the North East and North West of Edinburgh. The focus is to prepare women for pregnancy and parenthood and to feel confident to make positive choices for themselves and their families. Bump Start has two components: Parenting Coordinators and Pregnancy Cafe. The parenting coordinators work one to one with women and agree on what support needs the pregnant woman has and how we can help them achieve them. The pregnancy cafes are informal with an educational input to support pregnancy and parenting.

We now deliver face to face work outdoors with clients and indoors where deemed essential to health and wellbeing and whilst following public health guidance. Alongside this we continue to offer telephone and online support.

Description:

Cerebral Palsy Scotland is a charity that improves the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy through specialist therapy, support and information.
We’re ambitious for people with cerebral palsy. For over 25 years our therapists have worked alongside people with cerebral palsy, their families and carers, helping them develop practical skills which transform daily life.

Founded by a group of determined parents whose children were unable to get the specialised therapy they needed close to home, we’re the only cerebral palsy charity in Scotland.

As we’ve grown, the cerebral palsy community continues to be at the heart of everything we do. Our groups reduce isolation, bringing people with cerebral palsy and their families together. Our support service offers a listening ear and advice. We share our knowledge and skills through courses, conferences and working collaboratively. We raise awareness and we campaign for life-long access to knowledgeable, compassionate services and support.

Baby buds is a fortnightly group for children aged 0-24 months and their families. We welcome any family who is concerned about their child’s motor development, or who have been given a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

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Using arts as a tool, we create a peer supported environment that allows for information sharing, learning and reflection. Providing an informal peer led maternal support and development process that increases the participant’s confidence, skills and ability to cope with and embrace parenthood. The arts practice provides a mechanism for parents to develop a strong, positive bond with the un-born or new born babies.

Activities include group workshops, one to one workshops, cultural visits and sharing events. Workshops can include a range of arts practices including creative writing – autobiographical poetry and stories; visual arts – making a cast of your new born baby’s foot or your pregnant belly; performance – creating a play about your experience; music – creating a song that expresses your feelings about parenting etc. Workshops will include parent only sessions as well as parent and baby/child sessions. The makeup, focus and content of the activities are led by the participants.

Description:

Description:

Working with others taking a public health approach we seek to offer tools and resources on our website co designed with experts by experience on strategies to self-manage the challenges of life which can be overcome and mitigate the impact of those with no immediate solution.

These resources are for self-help and self-care and do not replace professional advice.

For more information please visit https://www.copescotland.com/ or follow us on X or Youtube @COPEScotland.

You matter, your wellbeing matters. Thank you for reading.

Description:

Description:

We offer both face to face or online counselling support for new and/or expectant parents who are struggling to cope with day to day life and/or transitioning to parenthood. This may be due to birth trauma, anxiety, low mood, self-identity, self-esteem, relationship issues or childhood trauma. We offer a non-judgmental space to help our clients explore their issues and help them to identify coping mechanisms to support them in the here, and now.  

Self Referrals welcome

Description:

We are a Perinatal Counselling Service. This means we see parents for counselling who are anxious, depressed and have other feelings in relation to having a baby both prenatally and postnatal. We have experienced perinatal counsellors and therapists. Our counsellors and therapist have all completed online training and so we are able to offer: 

Video and phone counselling and also face to face counselling.

We provide:

Individual counselling

Group therapy

Group Art Therapy

A 10 week Group Managing Perinatal Anxiety with self-compassion

A prenatal counselling group

Along with counselling we offer Infant Massage by a practitioner trained with the International Association of Infant Massage.

As long as you are pregnant or have a child under 2 years of age you can self-refer to our service.

To contact us, email pnd@crossreach.org.uk or call 0131 225 7843, or visit our website

Description:

Peer Support service – New and expectant fathers will be matched with a trained and committed Parent Befriender volunteer or member of staff,  who will give you a weekly call to support you. 

Dads Groups – We run dads groups in Edinburgh, Glasgow and North Ayrshire 

Online parenting support – We run regular Dads Antenatal workshops and sleep workshops for Mums and Dads 

1:1 Support for young dads – We offer support to dads aged 30 or under with an Edinburgh or Glasgow postcode.

Self Referrals welcome

Description:

Description:

In person peer support meetings, for bereaved parents from early loss to neonatal.  We run family days and memorial events. 

Description:

New mums and mums-to-be are matched with other parent befrienders offering support with parenting and other related issues.
Weekly group meeting offers a safe comfortable space to meet other mums and children to help learn and share together. 
Baby massage, parenting, PEEP, mental health, and breast-feeding support offered as one-to-one and small groups. Supported family play sessions are also offered.
Counselling support can be arranged. We offer a safe non -judgmental space for pregnant women and parents to help cope with life circumstances.

Description:

A peer support service for pregnant women and women who have babies/ toddlers who are experiencing anxiety and/or depression. In-person groups are held every fortnight on a Tuesday evening.

Description:

Parenting Support Service – assistance in managing arrangements for contact for your baby with their other parent when you do not live together.

Family Mediation  is a neutral and supportive opportunity for parents to discuss plans regarding their children and resolve conflicts with the help of trained and experienced family mediators.

We have three Contact Centres (Alloa, Falkirk and Stirling) where we offer supervised, and supported contact for children to see the parent they do not live with. Parents may also use the centres as a handover and return meeting space.

The PAP Programme is a workshop offered to parents in groups or on an individual basis online.  PAP helps parents to understand, prepare for and respond to some of the difficult issues and  conversations that may come up for them and their children.

Self referrals welcome

Description:

Much of our work at Fathers Network Scotland is focused on supporting men as they transition into fatherhood, with a particular focus on paternal mental health.  

We offer training and advice to health professionals, local authorities and service providers across Scotland to help them better understand and support dads.  

We also provide information and resources for dads and families across Scotland via our social media channels and website. This includes a directory of dad-friendly services to help dads and professionals find both local and specialist support.

Website: www.fathersnetwork.org.uk

Self Referrals Welcome

Description:

Fife Gingerbread is a voluntary sector organisation that provides information, advice and support to lone parents and families in need all over Fife.  The Early years team provide support to young families though the perinatal period with a particular focus on attachment, relationships, play, nurture and stability. Our workers are all highly trained to deliver: Mellow programs including Bumps, babies, toddlers, mums and Dads, Baby Massage, Book Bug, Pre Birth Groups as well as play, cooking and support groups.

We have developed a blended model of working using online platforms as well as face to face provision. Added to this we operate an Advice line available to any lone parent in Fife to help them access specialist support and address immediate and long-term needs.

Description:

Currently providing remembrance events and opportunities for bereaved parents, with support links in wider Sands. 

Description:

Parent/carer support – 2 strands

Weekly morning Health and Wellbeing Sessions held in a central location where parent/carers can come together and engage in various activities which aid health and wellbeing whilst offering an opportunity to meet others. Please note – child care is not provided.

Parent / carer support

Time 4 Mum – isolated parent / carers are matched with a volunteer, meeting up weekly, for up to 20 weeks. Parent/carers will be encouraged to identify and explore things they used to enjoy before becoming a parent or new interests they would like to try that will recharge their batteries. Once confident to attend groups or activities alone the volunteer will withdraw.

Self referrals welcome

Description:

Forth Valley Sands offers support to anyone affected by the death of a baby across the Forth Valley NHS area. We are the local group of the national Sands charity.

The group is run by volunteer Befrienders who are all bereaved parents.  We can provide support by phone, text or email. We also hold a monthly informal group where others who have had a similar loss can meet up and chat. For anyone who doesn’t feel ready to attend a group, our befrienders can meet with individuals privately.  Email us at support.forthvalley@sandsvolunteer.org.uk and we will get back to you.

We also have Facebook and Instagram pages where you can see details of local events and up to date information on group meeting dates.  

Self Referrals are welcome

Description:

In-person peer support meetings for baby loss, from early loss to neonatal.  Run club for bereaved parents, meeting in park runs etc.

Description:

We provide a relaxed and friendly environment where you can meet other parents/carers of babies and toddlers and enjoy light refreshments while getting practical help, support and ideas for enjoying your child.

Opportunities include:

• Weekly Baby Café
• Ally Bally Bounce and Beat – weekly musical sessions for babies and toddlers. Singing, rhymes, dance, and rhythm! A fun class to learn to sing, count and meet new friends (fees apply).
• Baby massage courses where you can learn to massage your baby in a relaxed and friendly environment for you and your baby (fees apply)

If you are a parent/carer living in the area of Cambuslang and Rutherglen with a baby or a toddler under the age of 5, you are welcome!

Please contact Healthy and Happy on 0141 646 0123 or book onto our sessions via our What’s On page: https://www.healthynhappy.org.uk/whatson

Description:

Description:

Hospital to Home – opt out early intervention service.  Families receive 6 home visits for emotional support and practical advice to bridge the gap between care in the hospital and navigating life at home, after the loss of a baby or young child

Peer Support – support from fully trained members of staff, who are also bereaved parents.

Counselling – person-centred counselling to work through your grief from trauma-informed counsellors.

All our services are free and there is not time limit for accessing our support.

Description:

Help with breastfeeding and nutrition, mental health and childhood development.
You will be matched for 6 months to a year (or longer if you need it) to a parent befriender who will give you practical and emotional support. During Covid-19 this support will be virtual. We also run breastfeeding and nutrition groups, cooking groups and other toddler/ baby groups including Bookbugs and Stay & Play.

Description:

Families are matched with a trained volunteer who visits them in their own home, providing practical and emotional support, individually tailored to meet the family’s needs. We also offer a weekly Family Group, a parent peer support group and a perinatal mental health peer support group. We work with the whole family, helping parents gain the skills and confidence they need to develop and maintain a warm and secure relationship with their children, and to meet their physical, emotional and developmental needs.

Description:

We offer volunteer-led support to parents and parents-to-be either in their own homes or at our weekly family groups. Our volunteers are all parents themselves, with a wide range of life-experiences. They all know that whilst becoming a parent can be the most rewarding experience, it can also bring with it many challenges. Our volunteers undertake preparation training, are PVG registered and receive regular support and supervision from our small staff team. They can visit you at home weekly, and can provide non-judgemental support – a listening ear, emotional support or practical help, all taken at the pace that suits you and your family. If you are interested in finding out more about having a Home-Start volunteer or in joining us at one of our supported family groups, please get in touch

Description:

We recruit, select and train volunteers, who have parenting skills themselves, to provide a home-visiting service to families. The volunteers provide confidential, non-judgmental, practical and emotional support to help families deal with a range of difficulties from isolation, loneliness, poor mental health, disability, separation, low income and the associated stresses or who just want a little bit of support with their parenting skills. Our Family Support worker and Family co-ordinator also support individual families. Group support. Parenting classes for fathers.

Description:

We are a family support charity supporting young families who are struggling with daily challenges. We offer: 

Family Support Service – our trained family support volunteers are matched to local families to offer emotional and practical support, within the family home. 

Direct Support – Offered to Families at risk of statutory interventions or ‘in crisis’ by our team of Family Support Co-ordinators and Family Support Workers.  

Weekly family support groups – taking place in venues across Clackmannanshire

Description:

Home-Start Dunfermline matches trained volunteers with families; volunteers then visit families in their home to provide practical and emotional support. Peer support Groups are also available: Baby Club on Mondays – for mum’s and babies up to one year old,

Outreach Groups in Inverkeithing and Rosyth on Wednesdays, and Family Group on Thursdays.  We also provide Infant Massage classes in various locations throughout Dunfermline and South West Fife.

Description:

Home-Start East Fife recruits and prepares volunteers to support families in their own home. 

Families with pre-school aged children living in East Fife can be referred or refer themselves. We then offer 1-1 support in the home and/or a place at one of our Family Support Groups.

One to one support is weekly for 2-3 hours when volunteers will offer practical and emotional support for parents. 

Our Family Support Groups are held weekly during school term times. They offer activities, snack time and a Bookbug session.

Description:

Home-Start East Lothian provides services for families in East Lothian with at least one child under 5 years old.

1-1 support: Parents/carers/families will usually be visited once a week at home by a member of staff or a trained volunteer. Visits can also be arranged in the local community.

Family support aims to build on your strengths, increasing your capacity to cope with challenges and work toward your goals. Goals are discussed and agreed through an initial visit with one of the Home-Start Coordinators who can relate to; parent/carer-child relationships, managing children’s behaviour, active involvement in children’s learning, physical activity, improving mental health, financial awareness and management skills, social isolation, safety awareness, skills and qualifications development

Group support: All our groups are a place for safe and confidential sharing, listening and offering peer support. Baby massage is open to parents/carers and most appropriate for babies aged 6 weeks to 6 months. There are various drop-in groups across East Lothian in Tranent, Haddington & Dunbar. Supporting children between 0-2 years. We also run a group for families of multiples.

You can check venue and times of these groups on our Facebook page where information is updated regularly.

Description:

Home-Start Edinburgh provides services for families in North East, North West and South West Edinburgh with at least one child under 5 years old.

1-1 support:

Parents/carers/families will usually be visited once a week at home by a member of staff or a trained volunteer. Visits can also be arranged in the local community.

Family support aims to build on your strengths, increasing your capacity to cope with challenges and work toward your goals. Goals are discussed and agreed through an initial ‘visit’ with one of the Home-Start Coordinators who can relate to –

• parent/carer-child relationships
• managing children’s behaviour
• active involvement in children’s learning
• physical activity
• improving mental health
• financial awareness and management skills
• safety awareness
• skills and qualifications development

Group support:

All our groups are a place for safe and confidential sharing, listening and offering peer support.

• Baby massage is open to parents/carers and most appropriate for babies aged 6 weeks to 6 months.
• Peep groups are open to parents/carers with babies/toddlers up to 1 year old.
• Other opportunities for learning are explored and can take the form of drop-in groups for families with children up to age 5.

You can join one of our Infant Massage or baby Peep group (location dependant).

Infant massage focuses on the benefits of touch and communication to support bonding and attachment.

Peep Learning Together Programme focuses on singing storytelling and activities you can do in the home to support your baby’s learning and development and enhance your relationships.

Health Visitor and Midwife referrals will be prioritised, but self-referrals also accepted.

Description:

You will be supported by a co-ordinator, matched to a home visiting volunteer who will provide weekly support in the home.  Practical and emotional. Support will be reviewed and may be adjusted to meet your needs. Signpost and support to use other services. Referrals can be made from professionals and organisations. Self referrals are accepted.  Referral forms can be found on our website. 

Description:

Families with at least one child under 5, living in North Glasgow or North Lanarkshire, are matched with a trained volunteer who provides emotional/practical support to parents/carers who need some extra help coping with everyday life. By supporting parents, we are supporting the entire family.  Over half the families we support are asylum seekers, refugees or from BAME communities. 

For families facing immediate crisis during the perinatal phase, we provide intensive support for a short period, thereafter families will be transferred to volunteer support. 

Our new Home-Start Hub in Maryhill is a safe space where pregnant and new families can access midwifery clinics; Mother and Baby Clinic; infant feeding; Dads Rocks workshops; baby massage; groups; workshops and Home-Start support all under one roof. 

We facilitate several group activities for parents and their children – Family Groups and perinatal groups across all of North Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

Self referrals welcome

Description:

Peer Support – You will be matched with a trained volunteer befriender or staff member who will provide holistic support aiming to improve emotional wellbeing and reduce isolation. Support is flexible and can be adapted to meet your needs. Referrals accepted

Intensive Support – A Family Support Worker will provide intensive support for families already working with Social Work, Health and Education who have identified the need for more intensive support during the perinatal and antenatal period. Please note this service does not accept direct referrals and will only accept referrals through a midwife or Health Visitor, Social Work, Health and Education

Dads & Weans – Supporting Dads in the earliest stages of parenting. This group takes a peer-to-peer approach bringing dads together in a safe environment, supporting them to feel safe to share their parenting experiences and challenges. Dad Workers and other dads are able to support one another to overcome these challenges while providing friendship and reducing isolation.

Dads Antenatal Workshops are designed for Dads and partners to get the most out of the time leading up to becoming a parent. Starting the bonding process while baby is in the womb, we use Solihull principles and NHS antenatal information to nurture more engaged and interactive partners. This support is for the benefit of the whole family.

Description:

Perinatal support is offered by trained  staff, a peer support group is available and/or  home visiting with a staff member to offer practical and emotional support, help with breast feeding, mental health and development. 

Description:

Mothers with young children will be supported by our Coordinator in a weekly group as well as a volunteer who can offer tailored support within the family home. 

Self Referrals Welcome

Description:

Volunteer Support: Volunteers support families by providing 2-3 hours of tailored support weekly, focusing on emotional and practical help to boost children’s and parents’ confidence to meet their physical and mental health needs. 

Allocated Worker: Family Coordinators offer intensive support for families, focusing on healthy attachments and support needs of families.  

Groups: We offer free groups including Bookbug, messy play, sensory play and community cafes.  

Family Centre: We have a Family Centre in Oban where we provide a free, safe space for young children, addressing the lack of accessible facilities in the area for children. This centre serves as a welcoming haven for both local children and those from nearby islands, offering a place for feeding, changing, play, and accessing professional help. We use the space for family groups, support sessions, parenting classes, and events, while also being available for volunteers who support children.

Self Referrals Welcome

Description:

In addition to volunteer mentors, we also have a weekly Group Support programme, offering both peer support for parents and activities to help strengthen core development in children.  We also offer a Breast Buddies service, which is complementary to NHS Orkney’s Peer Support Breastfeeding service, in which trained staff are able to support and advise breastfeeding parents and parents-to-be who are referred to our service.

Description:

Trust, Compassion, Inclusion and Choice are at the heart of everything we do.

Families choose their engagement with our services, and support is personalised to meet the unique needs of the children and parents. We train our local volunteers, often parents themselves, to support families with at least one child under-5.?Support involves volunteer weekly home-visiting for 2-3hours, encompassing emotional help for parents/children as well as practical support with routine building, encouraging attachment/ bonding through play, attending appointments including Welfare Rights, and opportunities to link in with wider community activities.

For families facing more complex challenges an Intensive Family Support is available.

All families can participate in our Peer Support Groups. We have 12 groups running weekly across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde and activities are co-designed with parents and children: Perinatal, ASN, Parents, Family Stay & Play, New to Scotland, and Dads/Male Carers.

Self referrals welcome.

Description:

Home-Start Stirling provides support to families who have a child under the age of 5, to help them cope with the challenges of parenting, creating happier lives for their children. Our support enables parents to develop the skills, confidence, and resources they need to nurture their children and build strong family relationships. We believe in the importance of early intervention, offering support before problems escalate, to improve long-term outcomes for children and families. We recognise and build upon the strengths of parents. We understand that each family is unique and tailor support to meet the specific needs of each family in a compassionate, non-judgemental way. We are committed to safeguarding children and creating safe, nurturing environments where every child is protected, and families receive the support they need.

Please email admin@homestartstirling.org.uk

Description:

Home-Start West Lothian provides support to families in the West Lothian area who have young children and are experiencing challenging times. Trained volunteers are currently providing emotional support and practical advice over the telephone or on video calls. Families can also join our virtual groups, providing peer support and activities for parents and young children.

Description:

Peer Support – You will be matched with a trained volunteer befriender or staff member who will provide holistic support aiming to improve emotional wellbeing and reduce isolation. Support is flexible and can be adapted to meet your needs. Referrals accepted 

Intensive Support – A Family Support Worker will provide intensive support for families already working with Social Work, Health and Education who have identified the need for more intensive support during the perinatal and antenatal period. Please note this service does not accept direct referrals and will only accept referrals through a midwife or Health Visitor, Social Work, Health and Education 

Dads – we support Dads in the earliest stages of parenting. In group settings taking a peer-to-peer approach bringing dads together in a safe environment, supporting them to feel safe to share their parenting experiences and challenges and helping to reduce isolation.  

Description:

We offer a wide range of Early Years home visiting services that complement the offer of 1140 hours. These include:

1. Early Years Family Support Service

Who is it for?

Families in Edinburgh with children under 5, experiencing some form of difficulty.

What to expect?

Regular home visiting from a family support worker, for up to a year.
Support tailored to the family’s needs and personalised goals.

2. Antenatal Support Services (Edinburgh)

Who is it for?

Expectant families or families who have had a baby in the last 8 weeks who could benefit from some extra support. Families can refer themselves or can be referred by any professionals working with them eg: midwives, Health Visitors, Social Workers, Early Years Workers, GP’s etc

What to expect

Visits from our antenatal coordinator for 2 hours every 2 weeks throughout pregnancy and through the first year of baby’s life; build on families existing strengths; discussions with regards to possible support plans which are tailored to individual’s needs; practical help and support with regards to parenting.

3.Family Volunteer Service

Who is it for?

Anyone in South Edinburgh who has at least one child under 5, or expecting a baby. We can provide a friendly non-judgemental person to help you at home for a couple of hours a week.

What to expect?

A Co-ordinator will visit you first to explain our service and ask you about the kind of help you need. Then you may be matched with a volunteer and have regular meetings with the Coordinator to review how the Volunteer support is going.

When you are matched with a Volunteer, they will usually visit you at home once a week for a couple of hours, for up to 6 months to 1 year. You can decide what you want the Volunteer to help you with. They can’t babysit or look after the children when you are not in the house, but they are trained to support you and are great with kids. During the time your Volunteer visits you, the Co-ordinator is in regular contact with both the Volunteer and you, to make sure everyone’s happy with the way things are going. You can ask for the visits to stop at any stage.

4.Early Years Family Practitioner

Who is it for?

The Early Years Family Practitioner works in partnership with children and families who attend Mayfield Nursery School.

What do we offer?

This service offers confidential home visiting family support, family learning opportunities in the home and/or group activities. We promote family wellbeing and can provide support plans tailored to the family’s individual identified needs.

5.Early Years Systemic Family Support Service

Who is it for?

Families in Midlothian with children under 5, experiencing some form of difficulty.

What do we offer?

We offer support to families who may need a bit more guidance with regards to family routines, early learning, family relationships, play and emotional well-being. We can also help you to access local groups or put you in touch with other support services within your community.

6.Midlothian Young Parents Support Service

Who is it for?

This service is for parents in Midlothian under 25 years of age who have a child aged 3 or under.

What to expect

Our Co-ordinator will provide regular home visiting support for 12-18 months. Support will focus on the identified family needs and could include areas such as: access to local services and advice; family learning through play; emotional well-being; local groups and parenting.

Description:

Families are matched with trained and committed staff and/or volunteers that will provide practical support to help you and your family face the challenges of parenting and sustaining a family in difficult circumstances. We provide additional support regarding: ASN, Domestic abuse, Advocacy, Multiple births, Befriending, Substance misuse, Lone parenting, Mental health concerns, Social isolation, Access to services, Child protection register, Post-natal depression, Learning disabilities, Teenage pregnancy, Tenancy sustainment, Household budgeting, Crisis management.

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Home-Start Perth and Kinross is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age. We’re there for parents when they need us the most, because childhood can’t wait.  Our volunteers support families in home or can support to get out and about.  We also offer group support through our wonderful nurture group which promotes bonding, wellness and self care.

Self Referrals Welcome

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Online weekly support group via zoom, for mums and mums-to-be.

We offer a safe, empathetic, non judgemental space to access support and information, through our weekly peer support groups for mums and mums-to-be. Our groups are run by volunteers who have faced tough times mentally in early motherhood and come out the other side. Our main aim at Juno is to help all mums out there struggling to know that they are not alone. We support mums who are experiencing anything from the mild baby blues, through to postnatal depression, anxiety, OCD and birth trauma.

Our in person groups are not currently running, but we are operating a weekly Zoom group, every Monday evening from 8-9pm. Please email us on juno.enquiries@gmail.com for up-to-date details.

Description:

Bumpz 2 Babiez: Weekly perinatal café (for expectant families or children under 2) to encourage new friendships and social networks. Support and guidance from staff and peer supporters. 

Antenatal Education: A free 3-week course led by trained midwife. 

Baby Massage: A 5-week block delivered by IAMS-trained practitioner. Cost: £28 (referral spaces available). 

Wean the Weanz: Free 3-week workshop with informal discussions and hands-on cooking sessions.

Bumpz/Buggy Walks: Weekly walks for parents to get moving and connect with other parents. 

Sling Support: Learn how to use the grey sling wrap and explore its many benefits.  

Baby Bookbug: Free session (0-12m)  exploring stories, rhymes, and songs together. 

Peep Babiez / Peep Explorerz: Supporting child development through talking, singing playing and reading.(0-12m) 

Messy Babiez: Fun sensory exploration for babies 6-17m.   Cost £3.50 

Glow & Gigglez: A cosy, magical sensory space for babies to relax, explore and enjoy a soothing sensory experience. Cost: £2.50.

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We support the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of families during pregnancy and early parenthood, both online and through our Family Wellbeing Hub in Leith. This welcoming space offers pre- and postnatal classes, workshops, community groups and therapies designed to build confidence and connection. 

Perinatal Wellbeing Project – free to attend peer support groups including our Kin Cuppa & Chat, Weigh & Stay, infant feeding support, sling and buggy walks, pregnancy socials and postpartum circles

Accessible 1:1 perinatal and birth trauma support, and perinatal mental health peer support group.

Lothian Neonatal Families – Peer Support for parents of babies born prematurely &/or needed a stay in NICU.

Swap and Share and Little Lending Library – to provide pregnancy and baby equipment, books and clothing

Self referrals welcome

Description:

–Group meetings (online) are with others who are breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding, to talk through all aspects of breastfeeding and parenting from pregnancy to weaning and beyond.
–Antenatal classes offered to families interested in learning more about preparing for breastfeeding.
–One-to-one support provided by breastfeeding counsellors for breastfeeding support (via telephone, video, text or email)

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Monthly support groups for baby loss, led by trained volunteer befrienders. Support for early loss through to neonatal.  

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LATNEM (SC051029) are a mental health peer support charity for mums and birthing people.

We have in person and online peer support groups where children are very welcome.

Mums and birthing people will find a kind, warm place to talk about what’s happening for them and receive peer support and signposting from trained volunteers.

Contact us

• http://www.latnem.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/latnempeersupport/
• Email: hello@latnem.org

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We can signpost to appropriate Health and Social Care Partnerships and 3rd Sector mental health and support services. We can support people to develop advance statements and wellness plans as well as explain the mental health treatment process.

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Peer support: Dads & Weans (a welcoming weekly group for new and seasoned dads), Mums & Bumps (a weekly group for new and expecting Southside mums to share experiences).

Parenting Support: NCT Bumps & Babies (a weekly social group hosted by a lactation consultant for early breastfeeding support), Extended Breastfeeding (a monthly group for toddler breastfeeding mums), Starting Solids (a monthly weaning chat with a focus of reducing food waste), Nappuccino (a monthly information session on cloth nappies), Hybrid Antenatal sessions (delivered online throughout 4 weeks, including one in-person meet-up), Daisy First Aid (monthly first aid session). Several parent-child bonding sessions: Weekly music, singing, baby massage and craft sessions.

Self Referrals welcome

Description:

MindMosaic Counselling and therapy provides services throughout Scotland. In person throughout the Inverclyde area and by video for out with this area.

Our specialist perinatal counsellors can offer a safe space to help and support before or after having a baby. We provide support to mums & dads whether in a relationship or not, from pregnancy until your baby is 2 years. 

We offer a variety of counselling modalities (CBT, Psychodynamic, Person-Centred, Integrative Counselling and Trauma Therapy) 

Services are offered Face to Face or by telephone or video link. 

Self-referral accepted and also referral from other professional e.g. Midwife, GP, Health Visitor, CPN

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The Early Years Service at Multi-Cultural Family Base provides support to BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) families with very young children who are in need.  Our staff, who are trained in Social Work, Infant Mental Health, Therapeutic skills, Baby massage… offer individual or group support to families with an emphasis on promoting good mental health through positive attachments, encouraging play, providing practical assistance where families are experiencing disadvantage and working alongside families and communities to promote social inclusion and equality.  We welcome self-referrals and referrals from our partners in health, social work and other voluntary agencies. Families may also receive a service from our Social Work student colleagues who are on placement with us. We do not provide interpreters, but some of us are bilingual in community languages, or can help you to access communication support.  Our service is free and open to those who are resident in the City of Edinburgh.    

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We run peer support led breastfeeding services in Lothian and Greater Glasgow and Clyde areas. This includes support groups as well as support on postnatal and neonatal wards.

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An 8 hour antenatal course for parents pregnant after a loss to feel positive about birth and more prepared for their next stage of parenthood. For parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or loss of a child, our classes provide a safe, hopeful, reassuring space to feel less anxious about birth and beyond, through learning hypnobirthing and anxiety reduction techniques, and the practical parenting skills to help you feel confident in welcoming your rainbow baby home. Our classes are run by a babyloss Mum who wanted to provide tailored antenatal education for other babyloss parents. In addition to the usual antenatal topics we cover inductions, C-sections, interventions, mental wellbeing, managing grief and triggers and feeling prepared however birth unfolds. Nova understands that you may feel like you will never bring a baby home, and that when you do you will have no idea how to look after baby. We will gently guide you through the early days of life with a newborn such as safer sleep, baby item essentials, feeding (bottle and formula), how to burp and hold baby, managing your lack of sleep, nappy changing, bathing, early nurturing, remembering your baby who died and enjoying their sibling. This course is available at: £80

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Nurture the Borders is a charity which offers emotional and mental health support to parents across the Scottish Borders from pregnancy through to their child’s second birthday.  We provide counselling and psychotherapy in a safe, compassionate space to help parents experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or overwhelm.  Parents can access one-to-one support at home or in the community, as well as trauma-informed birth preparation, birth trauma recovery support, and doula support.  Peer befrienders and group sessions offer connection and reassurance for mums and dads, while baby workshops and antenatal classes help parents build confidence, bond with their babies, and feel more supported on their parenting journey.  We’re here to walk alongside you — whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating early parenthood, or finding your feet again.

Self referrals welcome.

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OPFS offers tailored support to single parents across Scotland, with local services available in Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow and Lanarkshire. Services include mental health and wellbeing support, financial advice, peer support groups, and access to practical resources for families in need. OPFS also provides emotional support, parenting workshops, and connections to community resources. Support is offered in person through local hubs, as well as online and by phone, ensuring accessibility for all families.

Self referrals welcome.

Description:

ORSAS offers trauma informed emotional support, advocacy through legal and court process to anyone, regardless of gender, who has experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives and may become triggered by pregnancy and/or parenthood. We also support young people up to the age of 25 through our COMET+ project which provides sex education, positive relationship education and targeted prevention support to the most vulnerable in our community. (Young people with learning difficulties, looked after young people or other characteristics that may increase their vulnerability to child sexual exploitation , CSE).. We also provide Advocacy support to report through legal and court support

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Support and remembrance events for baby loss, from early loss to neonatal. All welcome. 

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Our approach is based upon families supporting families and includes:

Family friendly workshops for working parents to share experiences and practical steps for employers 

Queer Families in Glasgow: a peer support group for queer families

Queer Future Families: an online peer support group for people to share their parenting journey 

Self Referrals Welcome

Description:

We are there to offer help and support to parents and their networks who are struggling with perinatal mental health.

We offer Peer support groups which offer a fantastic opportunity to meet up with other parents affected by perinatal mental illness.

Our team of PANDAS Support Group Facilitators are on hand to provide information about local activities and services, whilst also offering support and advice.  We have a bookable call-back service and a WhatsApp messaging service.  We also have an e-mail support service. supportme@pandasfoundation.org.uk. Available 365 days a year. We’ll respond within 72 hours.

Please get in touch if you’d like any more information regarding perinatal mental illness or are looking for support for yourself or your partner, friend or colleague. 

We also have closed Facebook groups for both mums and dads.

Self Referrals Welcome

Description:

This counselling service offers a safe, confidential and non- judgemental space to support ante-natal and post-natal women and families cope with anxiety and postnatal depression. We support women mainly, but also offer a service for fathers and partners. Telephone and face to face counselling appointments and art therapy are all provided by professionally qualified counsellors and therapists. All aspects of the service, during normal opening conditions, are supported by our supervised crèche facilities, enabling young families to easily attend.

Please note that we can only accept referrals through Health Professionals currently and do not accept self- referrals.

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We offer free to access counselling to people who are struggling with fertility, miscarriage or baby loss, during pregnancy, after birth, or when parenting a young child.   

If you are affected by these issues, our Long-Term service gives a space to talk in the form of 10 sessions of counselling. Sessions can be delivered online or in person and we are open to all genders.    

We also have a Fast Track service which offers 3 sessions of counselling for clients who are struggling during pregnancy, or who would like support deciding whether to continue with a pregnancy. We are non-judgemental and support clients’ to reach their own decisions.    

You can refer yourself by visiting: https://counsellingandcare.co.uk/ Or you can call 0131 553 5565 

If you have any questions you can get in touch by emailing: counselling@counsellingandcare.co.uk or call the above number.

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Remember My Baby offers remembrance photography to parents facing the loss of their baby before, during or shortly after birth. RMB also offers an image editing service if a volunteer photographer cannot provide a photography service. Both services are free of charge.

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Bereaved parents can speak to trained befrienders by telephone, online, or through social media. In areas with a local group, this befriender will be a local parent (or someone close to a loss) and they may also offer face to face group meetings. Memory boxes, helpline & online support available. All free of charge.

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Our support services are designed for those affected by SUDIC (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood). We offer help through bereavement support work and counselling services. Support is tailored to the individual, whether they are a parent, grandparent, child/ sibling, or professional, and can be accessed at any time. 

Our Next Infant Support Programme is a specific support service for pregnant families who have direct experience of SUDIC (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood). We offer help through outreach support and counselling services to parents and grandparents via telephone, online, closed online support groups and in-person counselling.

Access to resources such as apnoea monitors and resus training can also be arranged. Ideally, enrollment on the programme should take place as early in the pregnancy as possible (12wk-26wks). 

Contact with us can be at any stage, for however long it is needed.

Self referrals welcome

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Support meetings led by local, trained volunteer befrienders, who are themselves bereaved parents.  Early loss through to Neonatal.  Remembrance events.  All welcome. 

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Simba Charity aims to ensure every family in Scotland receives the support they need following the loss of a baby. Simba has been supporting bereaved families since 2005 through the provision of beautiful ‘made with love’ Memory Boxes to enable parents to gather as many memories as they can. These Boxes are often described as a parent’s most treasured possession. In addition to Memory Boxes, Simba empowers communities to create peaceful Bereavement Rooms in local hospitals, providing comfortable and safe spaces to allow families the privacy they need to spend priceless time together with their baby before they say goodbye. Simba also supports the provision of Trees of Tranquillity, where families can go and remember and honour their baby, now and always. For more information please visit www.simbacharity.org.uk

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Expecting Something  – Free creative play sessions for wee ones aged birth to two years old. We love to create fun and relaxed play-spaces for adults and babies to enjoy together. We explore different art forms and themes every week and is shaped by the little ones and their grown-ups! From messy play, to a drumming, to creative movement, each session is full of exciting new things for wee ones and their adults to discover together. Each session also includes free healthy snacks and drinks. 

Starctachers Saturdays – Free creative play sessions for families with little ones aged birth to five years-old. Each session is full of exciting new activities for wee ones and their adults to discover together.

Self Referrals welcome

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Step by Step in Moray (SbyS) is a charity which supports families who feel isolated or vulnerable. We help them to develop friendships, confidence and skills which will enhance their lives and enable them to give their children the best start in life. 

All services are provided free of charge and we have weekly sessions in Elgin, Forres, Lhanbryde and Portessie 

Warm, welcoming, friendly, supported groups for expectant parents and parents with children from birth to 3 years. Age-appropriate play for babies & toddlers. Arts & crafts for keepsake treasures. A listening ear and help to build relationships. Individual support from our Family Workers when needed. A secure Facebook group for parents and staff to stay informed and in touch. Information on various health and wellbeing topics. Access to various donated items through collaborative partnerships. Signposting to other agencies and organisations.

Self Referrals welcome

Description:

We offer practical and emotional support for parents from pregnancy until their child turns five.

Our service creates a safe, inclusive space for families to connect, play, and access tailored support. 

We run a weekly Stay & Play group offering relaxed play and informal support.

Our Baby Interactions programme is a 6-week block supporting bonding and communication for parents and babies under two, with a focus on perinatal mental health. 

Our Family Support & Play sessions offer structured play alongside short periods of childcare, giving parents time to take part in themed group discussions or wellbeing activities.

We also run parent wellbeing sessions on topics such as mental health, parenting challenges, and self-care. 

Families can also access one-to-one advice and support tailored to their needs. 

We welcome self and professional referrals and are proud to support a culturally diverse community.

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Expectant and new parents with a child up to age 3 can access infant and child development services.

Our community based perinatal team offer emotional, parenting, family learning and peer support in local communities in group settings e.g. A Good Start (baby massage, infant development, weaning, play); Dads2B; Baby Steps; Circle of Security Parenting, Open Kindergarten and Healthy Living events. 1:1 home visiting for A Good Start, VIG by referral. All of these services are available in Midlothian.  

In East Lothian can currently offer:  A Good Start in Prestonpans and Dunbar; Open Kindergarten in Dunbar.   The perinatal team help families access links to our counselling service and work closely with our NHS colleagues to provide specialist therapeutic services. Other services such as financial reviews with CAB and support to access Good Time To Be Two (funded childcare) are also available.

Most services can be accessed by self referral. 1:1 home visiting, VIG, Circle of Security by professional referral. 

Counselling, Good Time To Be Two and CAB are referrals made from us as needs are identified.

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Charity Supporting anyone suffering from or affected by Post Natal Illness via our Helpline: 02073860868, by email or live via our online chat box available on our website. Service available Mon-Fri: 10am-2pm

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We offer friendly, informal infant feeding peer support groups in Fife, Forth Valley, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and Midlothian. All support is offered by trained volunteers who are also local mums with lived experience of breastfeeding. We also offer peer support on the maternity wards in Forth Valley. 

Self Referrals welcome

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The National Breastfeeding Helpline is open 24 hours a day every single day of the year on 0300 100 0212. All calls are answered by volunteers in their own homes, all are mums who have breastfed and are trained and supported by The Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. We offer friendly, non judgemental, evidence based, confidential breastfeeding information, support and reassurance. If the line is busy, callers can leave a message and someone will phone them back. Mums can also contact us for support via webchat or by sending a message to our facebook page @Nationalbreastfeedinghelpline The National Breastfeeding Helpline is funded by Public Health England and the Scottish Government.

The Breastfeeding Network’s Drugs in Breastmilk information service offered evidence based information on the safety of medication and treatments for breastfeeding mothers. Run by a small team of pharmacists and volunteers, there are a range of factsheets on the BfN website on topics including perinatal mental health and treatments for mental health issues as well as a wide range of other health issues. You can also contact the team direct via the facebook page @BfNDrugsinBreastmilkinformation, or by emailing druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

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With Kids offers a range of therapeutic services to children, parents/carers and professionals working with children. This includes therapy, one to one and group support, activities, training and CPD workshops. Our approach is flexible and aims to listen to the needs of the individual and respond accordingly.