Action on Postpartum Psychosis

Huge thanks to Anna McClure who hosted a fantastic concert on Friday 25th October at St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, in aid of APP!

Developed by Aberdeen-based performance artist Angela Margaret and composer Anna McClure, the concert was partly based on the famous short story, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1892, which explores a woman’s struggle with Postpartum Psychosis. Anna composed a new and original piece for the concert, The Yellow Wallpaper for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion and piano with a performance piece by artist, Angela Margaret. The concert also featured a short talk by APP's Sally Wilson!

Anna says: "The concert included a musical/ performance art version of 'The Yellow Wallpaper’ which was particularly powerful being preceded by a talk from Sally Wilson about her experience of PP, and the work that APP does.  We had a good sized audience for a lunchtime concert and hope to have raised awareness of PP and some money for APP to continue doing their excellent work. "

Huge thanks to Anna and to everyone involved!

Huge congratulations to Jenn, who successfully completed the York Gunpowder Plot 10k on Sunday 3rd November, in aid of APP!

Jenn said "All done! Muddy but fun! I am delighted with the amount I’ve raised, it should now be around £1000 including gift aid. I am really grateful to everyone who donated and especially to Jonny for running it with me and chatting to me all the way round!"

It looks like Jenn had a fantastic time, and has raised a huge amount in aid of APP,  just amazing! You can still donate to Jenn's JustGiving page here.

Thank you so much to Jenn for all her hard work and to everyone who so generously donated as well - we couldn't do this without your support.

A big Thank You to the Arnside Ladies' Choir who performed hits from the musicals on Friday 1st November, in aid of APP.

We're told it was a great success with the Village Hall packed, and with admission money and a raffle they managed to raise over £600 for APP, which is just fantastic! The event also featured a very moving reading from Jessica Pidsley's 'Mutha Courage' blog as well.

Huge thanks to the Arnside Ladies' Choir and to everyone who so generously donated - we couldn't do this without your support!

A very big Thank You and Congratulations to our 'Fab Four': Pete, Julie, Emma & Jessie, who completed this year's Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October!

All four of them completed the course, amongst all the mud, and have managed raise £1,300 between them, which is amazing, and it looks like they all had a fantastic time!

Pete said: "After a nightmare getting there with Green Park tube station being shut over safety fears and having to walking just over half a mile to Hyde Park, I managed to finish in 2hr 18 so I was well happy with that time. Thank you for letting me run for APP, it’s been a privilege"

You can still donate to Pete's JustGiving page here.

Julie said: "Today’s race was amazing, I loved it! And did it in 2h 35 which I am really happy about."

You can donate to Julie's Virgin Money Giving page here.

Jessie said: "Yeah! We did it! 🏅 Well done to all the other APP runners. Amazing atmosphere. So tired now!"

You can donate to Jessie's JustGiving page here.

Emma said: "I finished in 3 hours which for me is embarrassingly good! One of the other APP runners v kindly tapped me on the shoulder as she was running - was lovely to see. Thanks so much again, was a real honour to wear the APP vest."

You can donate to Emma's JustGiving page here.

And a final BIG THANK YOU to Pete, Julie, Emma and Jessie - you're all amazing and we couldn't do this with your support!

A very big Thank You to Kelly and Robert who battled through a huge downpour of rain to complete the 10K Forestry Race in Thetford Forest on 6th October, in aid of APP and the National Autistic Society and have  raised  £1,150 - amazing!

Kelly says: "The weather was terrible, more like a swim than a run at times but we did it and are both really proud. Honestly the photos don't quite do it justice as to how ridiculously wet it was...there were several near misses at the classic 'Vicar of Dibley' moment as there was more puddle than track for pretty much the entire 10KM course but despite that I got a real buzz out of doing the run.

We've far exceeded our expectations on the fundraising front and hopefully the update with the photos showing us dripping wet may help drum up a few more donations."

What amazing dedication from them both! Thank you so much!

Please support Kelly & Robert and donate what you can on their Virgin Money Giving page here.

Congratulations and big thanks to Raechel, who completed the Windsor Half marathon on 29th September in aid of APP!

Raechel says: "I completed the marathon in the wind and rain in 2 hours 41 mins.  It was a really great day and hope what I have raised helps APP."

You can still donate to Raechel's JustGiving page here.

Thank you so much Raechel for all your hard work and support of APP!

Huge thanks to Jenn who is running the Gunpowder plot, York 10K on 3rd November, in aid of APP!

The York Gunpowder Plot 10km is a 2 lap route around York Knavesmire racecourse, overlooked by Terry's clock tower and the racecourse grandstands.

Jenn says: "I have nothing but the utmost respect for the strength that these women show as they battle to regain their sense of self as well as reconciling their roles as new mums. Recovery is hard, often unseen and rarely positively linear.

I cannot stress enough how in need we are for services and support to help those who experience serious trauma of this nature.

Lauren Walsh, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Staffordshire University, is working with APP to conduct a a research study that is researching the experiences of women from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds who have experienced Postpartum Psychosis. Lauren aims to recruit 8-10 women by December 2019.

The study would involve meeting with a researcher for a semi-structured interview for approximately 1 hour. You will be asked about your experience of Postpartum Psychosis, and particularly your experience of accessing care. You would need to be living in the UK to take part. You can also find out more via the poster here.

If you are from a non-White or mixed ethnic background, have experienced Postpartum Psychosis, and would like to take part or find out more about this study, please get in touch: app@app-network.org

Rachel Jack, Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Teeside University,  is looking at how  Postpartum Psychosis affects partners’ relationships with mother and baby.

Rachel says: "There is a growing body of evidence showing the effect of postnatal psychosis on mothers, however there is only limited research regarding the impact on partners and particularly the impact on their relationships.

In order to consider relationships following maternal mental health, the current research believes they should be viewed as more than a mother-child relationship, and instead include the partner as part of a mother-partner-child relationship. It is suggested that partner’s report a shift in their role and a change in parenting styles following postnatal psychosis. Additionally, it is thought that perhaps children may also be impacted in some way, posing an important role for partners at this time. There is, however, a lack of understanding on how partners’ relationships with mother and baby may be affected or impacted.

This study therefore aims to explore how postnatal psychosis affects partners’ relationships with mother and baby. I am looking to recruit partners of mothers who have experienced postnatal psychosis within the last 10 years. The study involves a telephone discussion, at a time convenient to you, lasting approximately an hour. If you are interested in taking part, please email me on T7127956@live.tees.ac.uk and I can send you out some more information."

You can also view the poster for more information here.

Thanks to Anna McClure who is hosting an amazing concert on Friday 25th October at St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, in aid of APP!

Developed by Aberdeen-based performance artist Angela Margaret Main and composer Anna McClure, this special concert is partly based on the famous short story, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1892, which explores a woman’s struggle with Postpartum Psychosis. Anna has composed a new and original piece for this concert, The Yellow Wallpaper for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion and piano with a performance piece by artist, Angela Margaret.

The concert also features works responding to other mental health conditions by Calum Carswell and Anna McClure. There will be a soundconversation with the composers after the performance as well as a short talk by APP's Sally Wilson!

The concert is taking place at Machar's Cathedral, The Chanonry, Old Aberdeen, AB24 1RQ, and you can purchase advance tickets here - £11 adult ticket, £6 conc and U18 & students go FREE. Find out more via the official Facebook event page here.

Thank you so much to Anna for organsing such an increbile event in aid of APP!