News / motherhood

Hartcliffe charity awarded Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

By Lowie Trevena  Wednesday Jun 2, 2021

A a group of mothers, who have suffered and recovered from a range of maternal mental illnesses have been awarded the top voluntary award that groups in the UK can achieve.

Mother for Mothers, based in Hartcliffe, supports women during pregnancy and until their youngest child attends school, and has been doing so more 40 years.

Offering helpline and support calls, home visits, art psychotherapy, counselling and peer support groups, the south Bristol charity work to promote wellbeing and reducing social isolation to ensure of new mothers and their children, and help them engage with their wider community.

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.

“Mothers for Mothers are delighted to have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in our 40th year,” says CEO Maria Vinner. “This prestigious award is the highest recognition possible for VCSE groups in the UK and we would like to thank everyone who supports us in the work we do.

“This award recognises the dedication, commitment and passion of all of the women with a lived experience of maternal mental illness who have generously given their time, skills and compassion to support others.”

Mothers for Mothers is based in south Bristol and offers a range of services. Photo: Mothers for Mothers

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, created in 2002 and in 2021 awarded to 241 charities, recognises “outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities”, and Mothers for Mothers will receive their award from Peaches Golding, lord lieutenant of Bristol, in summer.

“We are so proud that our wonderful team have been honoured in this way,” says Maria. “It is very emotional to think about all the families that they have supported over 40 years.

“The women who we walk alongside on their journey to recovery are the inspiration for all that we do. This honours their bravery.”

Main photo: Mothers for Mothers

Read more: Hartcliffe charity supporting mothers with their mental health turns 40

Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at meg@bristol247.com. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning