Royal visit to Hillingdon's Colham Manor Children's Centre

In her first official visit as Royal Patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), Her Royal Highness heard how the organisations work collaboratively in the London Borough of Hillingdon to provide early access to multi-agency support and therapy in one place and how this has had a life-changing impact on Hillingdon women and their families affected by perinatal mental health issues.

The Princess joined a mother and baby group and spoke to women about their experiences with pregnancy and mental illness and how they were supported by the health initiatives available at the council's children's centres.

During this special event hosted by the MMHA, the Princess joined a table discussion with representatives from Hillingdon's children's centres, Hillingdon PNMH, midwifery, health visiting, Talking Therapies, Birth Companions and HomeStart to hear about how the different services work together and why it works so well.

Hillingdon Council has a large network of children's centres across the borough, which support families and carers in their local areas through a range of services, from midwifery care, health visitor reviews, wellbeing and therapy sessions, to parent support and child development initiatives.

Cllr Susan O'Brien, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said: "We are delighted that the Princess of Wales visited Hillingdon and found out more about the exemplary joined up work between our children's centres, Hillingdon PNMH and our wider partners.

"One in five women experience mental health problems during the perinatal period, and it's vital that they receive treatment and support as early as possible during this time to prevent suffering, isolation and to ensure children have a healthy start.

"We are delivering lots of perinatal services across our centres to help parents and carers in our borough get this crucial support in their local area and when they need it most to help children grow up in thriving and healthy homes."

Saher Hussain, a local mum from Ruislip who uses her local children's centre said: "It was wonderful meeting the Princess this morning.  We had a great opportunity to discuss the importance of the children's centres. The support offered by the children's centres and the perinatal mental health services has been invaluable to me, and the community - especially for mums. They have also had such a positive impact on me and my relationship with my baby."  

To find out more about children's centres and the range of sessions, courses and support available to families, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/childrenscentres.

If you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, or have a child aged up to five years of age, and are experiencing anxiety, low mood or are struggling with life changes, speak to your midwife, health visitor, GP or make a self-referral to Talking Therapies at talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk/hillingdon.