The weekly maternal journal sessions are led by a specialist midwife at Chapeltown Children's Centre.

Nada Abdul-Majid, specialist midwife, leads the Maternal Journal classes every Thursday at Chapeltown Children's Centre. These sessions are designed to provide mothers in the local area, regardless of their demographic backgrounds, an opportunity to come together, share their experiences of motherhood, and participate in engaging activities.

The sessions are tailored to meet the needs of the participating women, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. Public Health Specialists who observed the sessions were impressed by how the sessions were conducted. They noted that the activities were pitched at a level appropriate for the participants and led in a manner that prioritised the women’s needs.

The feedback from the women attending these sessions has been overwhelmingly positive. They expressed their enjoyment and appreciation for what the sessions provided. Many participants highlighted the sense of safety and trust they felt, which encouraged them to openly discuss their feelings and challenges. The welcoming atmosphere and the supportive environment were key factors in making the women feel at ease.

We spoke to one of the mothers who attends the sessions every week, and she said,  "For asylum seekers like me, it is hard to get by financially and it is no way to live a life. Every human being deserves to have fun, especially when you are a single mother. The charity's funding is helping to support asylum seekers and without your support, we would not have this opportunity or feel like we belong in the community."

Public Health Specialists noted that the group setting was instrumental in creating a safe space for participants. The staff played a crucial role in putting the women at ease from the start. By focusing on individual activities and getting to know the women personally, the staff were able to tailor the content of future sessions to address the specific issues raised by the participants. 

The Maternal Journal classes led by Nada have proven to be a vital resource for mothers in the local community. The sessions' emphasis on safety, trust, and relevance has made a significant impact, providing mothers with a supportive environment to share their experiences and challenges. The positive feedback from participants and the observations from Public Health Specialists underscore the success and importance of these sessions.