3 August 2025

Another football season kicks off for Chris!

For the last couple of years, APP volunteer Chris has made it his mission to raise awareness of postpartum psychosis.

Not only is he doing talks, appearing in magazines and academic journals, he's also taken on a personal challenge to try and watch a match at the nearest football ground to every Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in the country, wearing his special APP footie top, and getting a mention in as many matchday programmes as he can, as well as visiting the local MBU where possible.  Read about all his adventures so far here.

He's already been to his first fixture of his third season as part of this challenge. Here's his latest match report...
'Season 3 of my postpartum psychosis football awareness tour... HERE WE GO!
So far I have been to 10 football matches around 9 MBUs. And on Saturday 2nd August 2025, I kicked off my 3rd season by seeing my 11th match at Colchester United!
I went to this match with my dear friend Katie, and her son and nephew. It was Katie's nephew's first ever live match.  My home form woes looked set to continue - until an 87th minute Colchester equaliser! Phew!
Colchester put a lovely entry in their digital matchday programme about my challenge, postpartum psychosis and the MBUs.

But the standout moment was definitely being featured on the big screen in my MBU/APP football shirt, with the stadium announcer giving me a shout-out and sharing my challenge with everyone in attendance—both before the match and during halftime!

This was such an incredibly unique and emotional moment for me. I knew that I was going to be featured on the big screen, which was incredible itself, but to hear the stadium announcer share my challenge to the almost 6000 fans in attendance was just amazing. 
The JobServe Community stadium is less than 30miles from the Rainbow Unit MBU in Chelmsford.  And I actually got to visit this MBU on this trip.  It had a room with the handprints of mums and babies who had stayed there with positive affirmations which was just beautiful to see.
I am so incredibly proud of this challenge. And I am loving every moment of it!'
Next stop on Chris's tour was Notts County on 15th November, where he managed to get his name up in lights!

Billboard at a football match reading 'Welcome to Meadow Lane Chris Wasley - raising awareness of postpartum psychosis and mother and baby units''Myself and two good friends went to see the world's oldest professional football club - Notts County - draw 1-1 with Harrogate at Meadow Lane.

There is no doubt about it now...I am officially a home team curse! But regardless of the result, it was a great weekend with great company!

I’ve been so lucky with the support from clubs so far on this challenge, and Notts County FC once again helped me spread the word by giving me a shout out before kick off and at half time and sharing a few words about postpartum psychosis and the MBUs on the scoreboards!

 

Meadow Lane stadium is less than 5 miles from the Margaret Oates MBU. And I actually got to visit them on this trip!  It was so lovely to meet the Deputy Ward Manager Pip and Nursery Nurse Sam, and to talk about their incredible work in helping new mums with their mental health. Margaret Oates is such a lovely MBU! The whole place is filled with uplifting, positive affirmations, and I was particularly impressed with their post-discharge debrief meetings and the support they provide for partners.

 

This match marked the official halfway point of my challenge — I’ve now been to 12 football matches at 11 of the 22 Mother and Baby Units across the UK!  It’s been an intense but incredible two weeks of raising awareness, and I’m so grateful for all the support so far.

 

If you need support, or want to talk about postpartum psychosis, please reach out to APP - they offer incredible support for the whole family.  Please remember that you’re not alone 💜'

Follow Chris's progress on Instagram: @wasley_postpartumpsychosis