MUMS group is a much essential mental health group,for those pregnant and those with children upto six months old it runs it classes in Barnsley library and is in crisis of getting closed down.

I am writing to express my deep disappointment upon hearing of the recent suspension of the Mums Understanding Mums (MUMs) group, which has been running weekly at the Lightbox in Barnsley. Led by mental health-trained midwives Yasmeen Akhtar and Lynn Clay, this service is an essential support system for both prenatal and postnatal women in our community. Their expertise, compassion, and consistency have been a vital lifeline to many women—and, by extension, their children.

While there may be other services in Barnsley that support new mothers, MUMs is uniquely positioned in both its approach and impact. As a service user myself, I would like to share why this group cannot simply be replaced.

MUMs is the only service I am aware of in the Barnsley area that provides consistent, specialised support to women during pregnancy, not just after childbirth. Women are welcomed as early as their first trimester and can attend up until their child reaches six months. Many return for support in subsequent pregnancies, which speaks volumes about the trust and reliability they associate with this group.

Yasmeen and Lynn have worked tirelessly to create a safe, nurturing environment where women can connect, share, and receive mental health-informed care. Their presence brings familiarity and reassurance during one of the most vulnerable periods of a woman’s life. Unlike other services, MUMs provides prenatal mental health support in a group setting, which fosters peer connection and reduces the overwhelming sense of isolation that often accompanies new motherhood.

Equally important is the group’s postnatal offering. While many local services focus on infant development, MUMs centres the well-being of the mother—a perspective that is often overlooked. The group helps mothers “put on their oxygen masks first,” recognising that a mother’s health is foundational to her ability to care for her child. The support provided by mental health-trained midwives is not available in standard 0–19 Family Hub sessions, nor is it within the remit of most health visitors or GPs.

Each week, more than 30 women attend this group within just a two-hour window. Without MUMs, many of these women might require far more resource-intensive interventions—such as one-to-one midwifery care, GP appointments, IAPT referrals, or even inpatient services. By preventing crisis and providing early intervention, the MUMs group offers exceptional value for the NHS and the broader health system.

In short, this service is not just wanted—it is needed. The number of women who regularly attend, and who have benefited from MUMs over the years, is a testament to its importance. Its loss would leave a significant gap in care that no other local service currently fills.

So I'm writing this petition In hopes to get it shared and for this service to keep running .