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Duchess of Cambridge calls for support for new mums to beat isolation

Kate meets MUSH mother and baby group member Morgan Alex Cassius and her six-month-old, Makena Grace - Jack Hill
Kate meets MUSH mother and baby group member Morgan Alex Cassius and her six-month-old, Makena Grace - Jack Hill

The Duchess of Cambridge has said it is "so important" for new mothers to be able to form friendships even under social distancing, as she calls for more peer support to help them beat isolation.

The Duchess, who met with mothers and their babies in a park to discuss the challenges of “lockdown” parenting, said connecting with others essential for their “emotional well-being”.

Praising volunteers who have kept in touch with new parents via video and telephone calls this summer, she said: “I would love to see peer-to-peer support more embedded and celebrated in communities and society as a whole.”

During a visit to Old English Garden at Battersea Park, in South London, the Duchess spoke to Home-Start volunteers who together give thousands of hours of "parent power" help tackling issues from postnatal depression to bereavement.

Wearing salmon pink trousers and white t-shirt, she was told how peer groups struggled to meet up in person during Covid-19 lockdown but kept up their work on zoom and regular phone calls.

The Duchess of Cambridge in Battersea Park - Jack Hill 
The Duchess of Cambridge in Battersea Park - Jack Hill

A survey revealed two-thirds of mothers are not confident they can get the right mental health and many feel unable to speak to GPs or their family during the pandemic.

Irma Martus, 47, and Carol Elliott, 41, told the duchess how they had been helped out with weekly check-up phone calls from volunteer Home-Start Wandsworth during the pandemic.

The Duchess asked them: "Does it help emotionally too? You feel less judged? "Everybody needs to have those friendships. It must be difficult to meet up socially-distancing."

Afterwards Irma, who was referred to Home-Start after her 22-month-old son Emmanuel was diagnosed with Down's syndrome, said: "She said she was passionate about support for single mums through peer support."

In conversation with Nalini Sadai and Jessie Brett who provide peer-to-peer mum support for the National Childbirth Trust, the Duchess said: "It's good being able to listen and being listened to while being off guard.

Kate heard how parent-to-parent support through organisations such as Home-Start, National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and Mush was affected during lockdown - PA
Kate heard how parent-to-parent support through organisations such as Home-Start, National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and Mush was affected during lockdown - PA

"It is so important for your emotional well-being. With your experiences its so important that you've been through it.

"Without what you are providing, that form of relationship, you can feel so isolated. You should be very proud."

Earlier in the day, the Duchess held a video call with eight organisations to speak about helping parents with young children.

"A huge well done to all of you,” she told them. “I know there’s a big team of you out there in communities across the country.

Kate makes friends with six month old Makena Grace - PA
Kate makes friends with six month old Makena Grace - PA

“Both William and I hear about how vital these relationships are to families – they’re a real lifeline.  “So to you and your army of volunteers out there, a huge well done.

“I, like you, would love to see peer-to-peer support more embedded and celebrated in communities and society as a whole.”

Sarah McMullan, of the NCT who was on the call, said: "It was brilliant for the duchess to put the spotlight on mental health issues and how peer support can make a difference."