APP December 2025 Newsletter
Season’s greetings and a happy new year from everyone at APP
A message from APP's Chief Executive, Dr Jessica Heron:
“On behalf of APP, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us this year. APP is a lifeline for many families, and we couldn’t do it without you - our supporters, fundraisers, volunteers and community. Every peer support call, experience shared in the media, bake sale, marathon run and skydive plays a vital role in improving the future for others.
During 2025, hundreds of families found hope and recovery, supported by our trained staff and volunteers. You’ll see in this newsletter that 97% of those who completed our survey felt more supported after finding APP, and 44% believed they might not be alive without the support they received from APP.
In 2025, nearly 3,000 health professionals heard an APP speaker via a lived experience talk, APP full day training, and our suicide prevention webinar. 100% say our training will change their practice and 100% would recommend it to other professionals.
We have sent hundreds of APP’s free information guides and resource packs to Mother and Baby Units, Perinatal Mental Health Services, Maternity Services and organisations working with new families throughout the UK. We’ve supported key research, and through our patient information, professional training and awareness-raising, we ensure that knowledge reaches families and professionals and isn’t locked behind scientific journal paywalls. We’ve supported more than 35 media stories and creative pieces this year, including PP storylines on Hollyoaks and Casualty.
We’ve continued to campaign tirelessly for women with PP to access Mother and Baby Units, working to ensure these facilities are valued and their budgets protected. We’re delighted that the Chester MBU supporting women across North Wales and Cheshire has opened this month- and will have an embedded APP peer support worker. Later in this newsletter, you’ll hear that the Northern Ireland Health Minister made a moving speech committing to a MBU in Northern Ireland, but still no funding or timeframe has been confirmed.
2025 saw APP’s first Adventure - with families from our community and health professionals coming together in the beautiful Peak District to take on a 13km walk of Mam Tor (Mother Hill) passing through the village of Hope, raising nearly £12,000 for APP in the process.
We were also honoured to receive the prestigious GSK impact award - recognising small charities making a big difference. Judges praised APP’s ‘unique integration of lived experience’ and our ‘powerful partnerships with the NHS’.
From everyone at APP, I wish you and your loved ones a restful and happy festive season. We know that for some families, Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time, particularly for those with loved ones spending Christmas in an MBU or struggling with recovery. You are not on our own – APP’s peer supporters are available every day of the year via our Forum”.
Peer Support during the festive period
APP’s Forum is open as usual over the festive period. Our staff and volunteers are here to support anyone who needs to talk to others who have been there.
If you are emailing the office, or requesting one to one email or video call support over the festive period, please bear with us. It may take a few days for us to get back to you.
New Chester Mother and Baby Unit opening
APP staff and members of the Helix Experts by Experience group were delighted to attend the official opening of Seren Lodge, the new Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Chester, on Monday 15th December.
The unit, which will support women from Cheshire, Merseyside, and North Wales, welcomed its first patients on Wednesday. It has been designed as a home from home for mothers and babies and includes a nursery and sensory room, lounges for quiet time and family visits, gardens with a walking pram loop and Welsh-language support for North Wales families.
APP’s Jocelyn Ellams and Sally Wlison went to the opening ceremony. Jocelyn said:
“What made the day even more meaningful was that my son, Seth, was able to see first-hand the incredible facility now available to mums and babies across Cheshire and North Wales. Experts by Experience have been involved from the very beginning, shaping the space to ensure it feels as homely, safe, and supportive as possible for mothers during a crucial time. I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of this journey, alongside some truly
Sally said: “This is such fantastic news for families affected by postpartum psychosis and perinatal mental illness. I live in North Wales, and I was separated from my daughter and treated in a general psychiatric hospital when I was ill with postpartum psychosis in 2015. This was incredibly traumatic for me and my family and it took me a long time to recover. So many people and organisations have worked incredibly hard to see this happen. This will help to ensure that all families have access to the treatment and support that will allow them to recover from these devastating illnesses.”
APP has been campaigning for more Mother and Baby Units in the UK for more than ten years. Our research shows that women who receive care for postpartum psychosis in MBUs feel more satisfied with the care they receive, feel safer, feel more confident in the knowledge of the staff, recover more quickly and feel more confident with their baby when they go home.
Want to help make a difference? If you have lived experience of postpartum psychosis and live in Cheshire, Merseyside, the wider NW region, or North Wales, you could become an APP peer support volunteer. The next training day will be 31st January 2026 in Chester. For more details, email: app@app-network.org.
Festive cards that make a difference
If you’ve not already bought or sent your Christmas or Hanukkah cards this year, it's not too late to send an e-card! Consider buying from Making A Difference Cards and help support APP at the same time. You can buy individual or packs of cards, physical or e-cards, personalise them with names, photos and games, and get them sent directly to the recipient. They even offer Christmas cards in a wide range of languages. Find out more and browse the full range of cards here.
Join our new Black mums café group
Are you a Black mum who has experienced mania, bipolar or psychosis after giving birth? Did you find it difficult to speak up about it and worried about what other people or friends and family might say or think? Would you like to connect and talk with other Black mums?
Join us at our new, friendly online café group, meeting on Zoom at 7.30pm on the third Friday of every month, led by Rachel, APP's peer support facilitator.
The next meeting will be on 16th January. To sign up, email rachelr@app-network.org.
Hollyoaks: PP storyline
We’re so proud of APP’s collaboration with Hollyoaks on its recent issue-based storyline.
Hollyoaks has been exploring postpartum psychosis (PP): Cleo McQueen, played by Nadine Mulkerrin, struggles with her mental health following the traumatic birth of her first child, Joseph.
APP colleagues and storytellers have been advising on the storyline. Nadine Mulkerrin, who plays Cleo McQueen, said: “It’s been a new challenge taking on the role of motherhood and the difficulties that being a new mum can bring, especially the strain it can have on your mental health. We had a consultation with APP whilst filming, and it was helpful to hear other people’s experiences - my heart breaks for poor Cleo.”
Dr Jess Heron, APP Chief Executive, said: “Responsible portrayals of PP on popular TV shows such as Hollyoaks are invaluable. With greater public awareness, partners, friends, family members and frontline health professionals will be more able to quickly spot the signs and seek specialist emergency help as soon as possible. We’re grateful to Hollyoaks for playing a part in awareness raising and for their diligent approach to producing a sensitive and accurate storyline.”
We are recruiting: new team administrator role
APP is recruiting a Team Administrator to help manage our busy virtual office. You will act as the first point of contact for many people getting in touch with the charity online and via telephone.
The successful candidate will be warm, friendly, empathetic and supportive of the women and families we help. We’re looking for someone to work closely with the Senior Management and back office teams as well as our Community Engagement Manager to respond to enquiries by phone and email; maintain stocks of fundraising materials and literature; and update website content. The role also includes finance administration tasks.
This is an excellent opportunity to join our highly dedicated, passionate and supportive team. Full details of how to apply for the role are on our website. The application deadline is midnight on 19th January 2026.
Update: Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Unit Campaign
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU), a specialist inpatient mental health facility where mothers can be admitted with their babies for care and treatment. Instead, mothers who develop PP are admitted to general acute psychiatric wards for non-specialist treatment, separating them from babies. Our research shows that women who receive care in MBUs feel more satisfied with the care they receive, feel safer, feel more confident in the knowledge of the staff, recover more quickly and feel more confident with their baby when they go home.
Liz Morrison, APP’s Northern Ireland campaign consultant, shares an update:
Thank you so much to everyone who’s helped raise awareness of the urgent need for an MBU in Northern Ireland (NI). We made a big stride forward when the issue was debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly in October.
The debate saw strong cross-party support and powerful testimony from both MLAs and the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, who said: “A Mother and Baby Unit is not overdue or long overdue: it is long, long overdue.” Outlining his own family’s experience of severe postnatal mental illness, the Minister said he wants to go ahead with an MBU in Belfast but didn’t go as far as guaranteeing funding.
MLAs from all parties urged the Minister to find the funds for an MBU. Most urged that in the meantime a temporary ward is opened, and that women be given the option to travel to England, Scotland or Wales for treatment with their babies if that’s what they want. APP had briefed the MLAs about options for families while we await a MBU. We’re really pleased that they set out our asks clearly and even praised APP for our ‘tireless campaigning.’
Huge thanks to the members of APP’s Northern Ireland peer support group who have spoken out in the media and met with politicians. The debate in the Assembly came about as a direct result of Teresa Hawke joining other APP reps to meet with Sinn Féin MLAs. Órlaithí Flynn MLA was moved by her story and worked to bring the debate forward. We can’t say a big enough thank you to everyone who has shared their story with journalists, health officials and politicians.
Read more on our website here.
New peer support volunteers
Welcome to 8 new peer support volunteers (pictured above alongside APP’s Ellie and Jenny), who joined us online for a training day earlier this month.
Our peer support volunteers have all experienced postpartum psychosis themselves (or are a partner or family member of someone who has experienced PP). They generously give some of their time to support others through 1:1 peer support, our cafe groups and our online peer support forum.
If you would like to know more about our peer support, or about volunteering with us in this way, do please get in touch. We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers!
APP’s annual peer support survey
Thank you to everyone who completed our 2025 peer support survey. We continue to hear how important peer support is to recovery from PP - for those newly recovering and for many years after PP.
Overall, since finding APP...
- 97% felt more supported
- 89% felt less isolated
- 98% felt more informed about PP
- 91% felt less negative about PP
- 96% felt more hopeful about the future
- 96% felt that APP had helped, or was helping, them to recover
- 90% felt more able to talk about their PP with family, friends and health professionals
- 44% said they might not be alive if they had not found APP's peer support services
A wealth of feedback was shared through your thoughtful and detailed comments. We will be considering all of your insights and suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Below are just a few of the many comments shared through the survey:
“To meet other women who have experienced PP is invaluable and even some years later, I still seek solace and comfort in engaging with APP’s support. I do not know how I would come to terms with the illness had I not had APP. It would be extremely isolating.”
“I have found the additional benefits by accessing peer support have been so many ... meeting mums who related to my experiences, virtual conversations with mums / families from all corners of the world. Celebrating what a courageous group of women we are!”
“I think that APP's peer support service is so important and when I was ill all those years ago, I would have loved to have had access to the services available now. It is so helpful and reassuring to know that we are not alone and that we will recover.”
“Support came at a critical time and gave us hope and reassurance about the future. This service is essential for families experiencing trauma and the ongoing fallout from a loved one experiencing PP.”
“APP is amazing. They have literally changed my life. After having my daughter and suffering PP I thought I'd never be the same person again and I didn't enjoy being a mum. Now I am confident again and enjoy spending time with my daughter as our bond has grown. I enjoy meeting other people and talking to others who understand.”
New research collaboration to tackle ethnic inequalities in perinatal severe mental illness
APP is supporting a ground-breaking new study that aims to transform postpartum mental health care for mothers from ethnic minority backgrounds or those living in deprived areas who experience severe mental illness.
The Improving Postpartum Outcomes of Severe Mental Illnesses in Ethnically Diverse Mothers (POSIE) project, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is a collaboration between several UK universities, including the University of Oxford, NHS Trusts and charities. It aims to identify practical ways to improve care for mothers experiencing serious mental illnesses such as severe depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.
Suicide remains the leading cause of death among mothers in the first year after giving birth with women from Black ethnic backgrounds almost three times more likely to die in the year following childbirth compared to white mothers. Women from Asian backgrounds also face an increased risk.
Shaheda Akhtar, APP’s a peer support facilitator, who will lead Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) for the POSIE project, said: “We regularly hear from Black and Asian women who've had postpartum psychosis about delays in treatment and admission, that care and information did not feel appropriate to them, and they had difficulties finding information about this treatable medical emergency. Going to a Mother and Baby Unit can be quite frightening when you don't know anything about them. Our peer supporters help women to understand what they are experiencing and combat isolation and fear. We educate health professionals by sharing women’s powerful stories, but we know that services are crying out for evidence-based practical ways to improve care for Black and Asian women.”
You can read more on our website here.
Big Give thanks
Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Big Give Christmas Challenge appeal this year. We raised an amazing £9,670.
This will go a really long way to help us support hundreds of families during 2026.
Thank you also to our generous supporter and to The Julia Rausing Trust for matching donations for the duration of the Big Give appeal.
Watch APP’s 2025 Webinar
If you missed our October webinar, ‘Essential knowledge for preventing maternal suicide’ you can watch it here.
The webinar is aimed at frontline health professionals working with families in the perinatal period, the webinar is supported by fundraising in memory of Alex Baish. We know this can be a difficult and emotive topic for many people, so please take care when watching. Please share this free training widely with GPs, midwives, health visitors, and perinatal team staff.
This was the third webinar in APP's series, which has reached nearly 10,000 health professionals.
A huge thank you to everyone who has watched so far, and to our brilliant speakers for sharing their insights and experiences.
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week
2026 will see the 10th Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. The Perinatal Mental Health Partnership is looking for feedback.
If you have ideas on what the 10th Awareness week should cover, please fill in the short form here.
APP at the College of Paramedics conference
On Friday 24th October, APPs National Training Coordinator Sally presented to 300 ambulance, emergency medicine, maternity and nursing staff at the ‘Pre-Hospital Maternity and Newborn Conference’, hosted by the College of Paramedics at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Wales. Sally talked about experiencing postpartum psychosis, how to spot the signs and symptoms of PP, and the pathways of care to specialist services.
Sally said: “It was a privilege to be invited to speak to health professionals who are on the frontline supporting families during the perinatal period. I was inspired by the many dedicated practitioners I met who are committed to expanding their understanding of postpartum psychosis and strengthening their connection with APP.”
APP at the GMMH Stars Awards
APP’s Manchester’s Mother and Baby Unit peer support team were excited to be nominated for the GMMH Stars Awards, 2025. Rachel & Ali (pictured above) enjoyed an evening of formal dinner and awards ceremony to showcase the inspirational people working at, and in partnership with, Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust.
APP was one of three organisations nominated for the Outstanding Partner Organisation Award, with an incredible 603 nominations across categories submitted by GMMH staff, service users, their carers and families. Despite not being the overall winners, the team, Rachel, Ali and Nicola, received a Highly Commended certificate. We’re all very proud of you!
APP’s peer support project in Manchester was set up in September 2023. We offer peer support in the ward, during hospital discharge, and through a café group in the community. Find out more here.
Fabulous fundraisers
The biggest well done and thank you to Ross who completed the 63km Tollymore Extreme Ultra Trail Marathon for APP earlier this month - what an epic challenge! Ross raised over £9,000 and has done a huge amount to help raise awareness of PP and of the need for an MBU and more specialist care particularly in Northern Ireland. Read more and watch his inspirational video on Instagram. Thank you Ross!
The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust Perinatal Mental Health Team took part in a Miles for Mums and Babies Challenge during October. The team covered an incredible 750 miles, raising over £1800. They really enjoyed it, and it’s even inspired some of the team to take on other challenges. Amazing work, thank you!
APP’s super volunteers Chris and Natalie were back in action earlier in November, following up their previous fundraising efforts, this time with a 160ft bungee jump over Bray Lake in Windsor! They very bravely took the plunge for APP, raising more than £350. Chris has also continued his football stadium awareness raising tour with a trip to Notts County FC this month.
Also in action in the last couple of months were Lauren-Nicole, Aaron, Gareth and Dom who took on the Amsterdam Marathon for APP, raising over £1,500 between them; Jessie and Pendra who completed the Royal Parks Half; and Olivia who completed a 100km Miles for Mums and Babies challenge during October - well done!
A BIG thank you to the Inbound and Replenishment Team at John Lewis & Partners Magna Park for the amazing fundraising they’ve done for APP over the last few months - from cycling challenges to ice cream selling, the nightshift team have done so much to raise funds and awareness. Our Fundraiser Fliss went to thank the team and got a full tour of the warehouse earlier this month. Thank you!
Over in Northern Ireland, for the second year running, Lucy and friends hosted a fabulous festive bake sale and raffle for APP, raising more than £400. It’s now become an annual tradition! Thank you Lucy.
Salesforce need a huge thank you from us too, they recently supported APP by hosting an event for us. Their team were so moved by what APP does, that they chose to fundraise for us during their recent festive activities also - crafting some beautiful baubles to send to an MBU and raising nearly £1,000.
Rich Baish organised a fabulous quiz and disco in Witney at the end of November. Rich was the quizmaster extraordinaire and a fantastic time was had by all, with over £1,000 raised for APP on the night. Thanks to all who supported this event.
2026 Challenge Events
Events next year are already filling up - we have places on offer in events including the iconic Great North Run, Manchester Marathon, Edinburgh Marathon, Hackney Half and so many more - whatever your running level and wherever you are in the country, we’ll find the right event for you, so if your new years resolution is going to be to take on a challenge - let us know or check out our challenge page for more inspiration.
We’re hoping 2026 will be a big year for Miles for Mums and Babies challenges too! It’s never too early to start planning your own personal challenge for next year - maybe you want to run a mile a day in May, get a team together to conquer a local hike, or take on a wild swimming adventure - we’d love to support whatever you are thinking about.
Shop online and raise funds for APP
Whether it’s last minute gift shopping, the big Christmas food shop, or treating yourself in the January sales, if you register with easyfundraising, every purchase you make could help support APP, at no additional cost. There are more than 8000 retailers to choose from, including John Lewis, Argos, Tesco, Amazon, Boots, M&S, Etsy, Lego and so many more.
This explains how it works.
Plus, this week APP could WIN a £1,000 donation prize in easyfundraising's giveaway! We get a FREE entry each time a new supporter signs up before the 21st December. It only takes a moment and it's completely free, so please get involved if you haven't already. Happy shopping!
In the media
Members of the APP team have watched the powerful new film Die My Love which explores PP within a mix of broader perinatal mental health themes. Read their review of the film here.
The Detail featured an article on the need for a Mother and Baby Unit in Northern Ireland, including experiences shared by Stephanie and comment from APP’s Media Consultant Liz. APP fundraiser Ross and his wife Gemma supported the Northern Ireland MBU campaign by sharing their story with ITV news.
Megan shared her PP experience in the Mom Breaks podcast. The By Your Side podcast featured Abi’s PP experience and APP volunteer Chris Wasley joined the The MAMA Podcast to talk about PP from a partner’s perspective.
Sarah shared her PP experience in Glamour Magazine.
News of the Hollyoaks postpartum psychosis storyline featured in The Mirror, Radio Times, Manchester Evening News, Prolific North and Metro.
APP’s Development Manager, Rich, spoke to The Guardian about concerns that advice given by coroners in England and Wales to help prevent maternal deaths isn’t being acted upon. Rich was also interviewed by Greatest Hits Oxfordshire, calling for better mental health support for women and new mums.
If you would like to support awareness-raising of PP and APP, please get in touch for support and help with key messages.
Diary dates
APP Manchester face to face café group meet up, Friday 19th December
APP Black mums virtual café group meet up, Friday 19th December
APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Blackpool, Friday 9th January
APP Lancashire and south Cumbria virtual café group meet up, Monday 12th January
APP UK wide virtual café group meet up, Thursday 15th January
APP Black mums virtual café group meet up, Friday 16th January
APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Preston, Friday 16th January
APP Yorkshire face to face café group meet up in Sheffield, Saturday 17th January
APP London face to face café group meet up, Saturday 17th January
APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Lancaster, Wednesday 21st January
APP dads and co-parents virtual café group meet up in Lancaster, Wednesday 21st January
APP Sussex and Hampshire face to face café group meet up in Winchester, Saturday 24th January
APP London virtual café group meet up, Tuesday 27th January
Contact information for all APP café groups is available here.