A woman who has helped hundreds of mums across Cumbria is stepping down from the foundation she created.
Katherine Dalgleish set up the Happy Mums Foundation in 2015 after she experienced post-natal depression and anxiety.
She has led the social enterprise since then and it has helped mums and mums-to-be with peer support groups, both in-person and online.
After receiving treatment at a psychiatric mother and baby unit when her first daughter was born, Katherine decided to set up a group where mums could discuss their mental health – free from judgement and stigma. Initially she ran the groups in her spare time, but once she bid successfully for Comic Relief funding in 2016, was able to dedicate more time to the cause she felt so much passion for.
The Cumbrian non-profit has since won several awards including Best New Cumbrian Social Enterprise in 2018 and a national Marsh award from Mind in 2021. Katherine was named a Point of Light in 2020 by the Government in recognition of her dedication to the maternal mental health sector.
Katherine said: “I have been fortunate to work with some amazing people: staff, directors and volunteers who have each brought their own energy and ideas to drive the foundation forward. It’s because of the quality of the team we have built that I feel so confident to move on – I know they will continue to uphold the Happy Mums values of safety, peer leadership, inclusion, sustainability and empowerment.
“My three amazing kids are getting older, and I want to make sure I cherish this time with them. Added to that I have lots of exciting ideas for future projects to get my teeth into! I also genuinely believe that Happy Mums will benefit from a fresh pair of eyes and new leadership, so that it is as strong and resilient as possible and continues to offer high quality peer-led support to mums in north, West and east Cumbria for many years to come.
“I want to say thank you to all the women who have attended groups and supported Happy Mums during my time here. We would be literally nothing without you! I am inspired every day by the incredible community that has been built and the love and care you show towards each other. It has been the best possible medicine for my own recovery.”
Long-standing group member and volunteer Laura Kirby, of Dalston, said: “Katherine was the beacon of light I so needed when I was in a dark place. She has been a shoulder to cry on, a voice of reason and most importantly a really good friend and I’m sure she will continue to be even after leaving happy mums. Thank you for bringing so many mums hope and happiness when the world has seemed so bleak.”
Lead for engagement at Happy Mums, Sarah Penn, added: “I have been so inspired and instilled with hope by listening to and working with Katherine.
“She gave me that hope when I was in the darkest of places, and showed me that motherhood could be the beginning of a new life rather than the end of everything. I’m so proud of her for being brave enough to keep going, and brave enough now to step back.”
