Singing for Maternal Health, with Singing Mamas

Singing Mamas are running a singing for maternal health session at The Old School House on Thursday 8 October, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. It's open to all women, and you don't need any musical or singing experience to join in. They teach simple harmony songs by ear, so there's no sheet music to read and no auditions to worry about — you just listen and sing along. After the singing, there's time for tea, cake and a chance to chat with the other women in the room.

Singing Mamas is a national non-profit and grassroots movement of women — among them mamas, nurses, doctors, midwives, musicians, teachers and community workers — that runs singing groups to boost wellbeing, connection and maternal mental health. The organisation says it exists because suicide is one of the leading causes of death for women during pregnancy and in the year after birth, and because singing is clinically proven to reduce symptoms of postnatal depression faster than usual treatments. One group member, whose name was withheld for confidentiality, said she kept her postnatal depression at bay by being able to connect with others at Singing Mamas.

It's a session that's as much about the company as the singing. The tea and cake afterwards are a proper part of the afternoon, not just an afterthought, and it's where the connection happens. If you've been feeling isolated or just fancy a bit of singing with other women, it's a good place to start.

It runs on a sliding scale — £12, £9 or £5 — so you can pay what you're able to, and there are discounts for block or term bookings. A small number of free places are also available for women in need. The session is at The Old School House, Gladstone Mews, Gladstone Rd, Bournemouth, BH7 6BG, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Thursday 8 October.