We've had some amazing highs and sad losses this year
As we reach the end of 2023, it's time to look back on all the things that made our 10th year memorable. This year we...
...held the biggest Mummy's Star Ball yet!
An incredible success, with amazing entertainment and two fabulous hosts, the ball gave families, staff and supporters the chance to celebrate all things Mummy’s Star while also remember the mums who have sadly died over the years but will always be a part of the Mummy’s Star family.
...asked 'Could it be cancer?' For Cancer And Pregnancy Awareness Week #CPAW23 we highlighted the real life experiences and obstacles our mums have to face, both to reach a correct diagnosis and beyond. This was our first dual campaign, running tailored content for both Healthcare Professionals and the Public in parallel.
...supported 168 new families
These families reached out in a year that’s been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis. We’ve seen an increased need for our small grants programme and signposting for further financial support, we have also seen an increase in the intensity of emotional support mums need due to additional pressures they are facing. Our private online forums have also grown this year and continue to offer mums a safe space to ask questions and share their feelings with other people in a similar situation.
...said 'Hello'...
We’ve added a new Support Worker, a new Administrator and five new Trustees to the Mummy’s Star Team in 2023, bringing our total number to 8 paid staff and 11 volunteer trustees. We said goodbye and thank you to some long-time staff and supporters (including our ex-chair Gillian Smith and ex-patron Jacque Gerrard) who have all moved on to new things. We wish them every success.
...and 'Goodbye' Sadly, we also said goodbye to some mums and friends who died in 2023, including amazing midwife and founding trustee of Mummy’s Star, Nicolette Peel MBE. Our thoughts go out to all of them and we will continue to be there for their families and loved ones.
...worked with friends
We’ve collaborated with lots of wonderful organisations this year, including the amazing Fruitfly Collective who launched their new website Parenting With Cancer this autumn and FiveXMore who invited us to speak at their inaugural summit on women’s health, highlighting the difference in maternal outcomes for black women.
...made some changes (to our website!)
Our website has undergone some big changes, to make the content for our mums, parents and families as accessible and relevant as possible. We’ve also added lots more real life stories and have some exciting plans to keep improving it into 2024.
...partnered with the National Lottery We were successful in our bid for a multi-year grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, which will help us to develop and grow our Emotional Support to mums and parents for at least the next 3 years.
...moved in with Much Loved
We now have a dedicated In Memory section on our website, which allows families to create tribute pages for their loved ones giving them a space to share memories and photos and create an online memory box for their children. It also enables families to create donations pages to mark special occasions or anniversaries.
...educated more Healthcare Professionals
We’ve visited 18 hospitals, universities and groups this year, bringing our unique cancer and pregnancy training session to both staff and students of midwifery, oncology and other healthcare professions. We reached over 1000 people who may have a patient present to them with cancer symptoms in and around their pregnancy.
It is a privilege that we get to walk with families impacted by cancer diagnosed in or around pregnancy through their most difficult time. And to spread the word about their experiences to improve understanding, diagnosis and care.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to and supported us in 2023 so that we can continue to do so.
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