Last week, as Director of Frome Birth Talk, I shared a video of myself opening a grant rejection email and trying, unsuccessfully, not to cry.

I almost didn't post it, but I'm glad I did, because the response has been extraordinary. Our funding situation remains urgent, however.

Frome Birth Talk provides free and low-cost counselling and community support to local parents facing some of the most challenging periods of their lives. In 2025 we supported hundreds of local families when they needed it most. The day before we received the rejection email, a single mum of three who had used our services told me: "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Frome Birth Talk." Another mother told us: "My counsellor at FBT has genuinely saved me from myself. I am no longer broken by my past. I have the power to mother myself as I mother my children."

Despite months of fundraising and numerous grant applications, unless we receive a significant injection of funding by the 11th of October 2026, we will have to suspend our counselling waiting list to new referrals. Our immediate goal is to raise £10,000 to keep the waiting list open and continue accepting parents who need support. Even better, £20,000 would give us valuable breathing space while we secure longer-term funding.

If you are able to donate, share this appeal, or introduce us to someone who may be able to help, we would be incredibly grateful.

Together, we can ensure that parents who reach out for help still have somewhere to turn.