A WORCESTER mum-of-one who has seen her online support group go from strength to strength is looking to take it to the next level.

Siani Price, who lives in the Fort Royal area of the city, set up Worcester Mums Network on Facebook in January 2014, following the birth of her daughter.

The group provides positive and non-judgemental support to other mums in the area, and in just a year the group has grown to have more than 1,300 members.

Now Mrs Price, who works as a special educational needs teaching assistant, is looking to raise £1,000 to run a weekly meet up for group members.

"I set it up after finding many of the online parenting communities were really negative, competitive and bitchy. I felt there was a need to have a group that had a very strong supportive and positive ethos behind it," she said.

"It was far more daunting having my own child, even having worked in childcare for 10 years. I just needed someone to reassure me that following my instincts was OK."

Group member Jac Rowe said the group has helped her to find toddler groups, pre-schools and activities to do with her children.

She said: "The Network has been my rock. Moving more than 100 miles away from family and friends was really daunting, but finding help and support from the lovely Worcester mums in this group has been so reassuring and helpful."

Helen Towell said the group has become her "first port of call" for most things mum-related.

"Becoming a parent is such an overwhelming experience and you feel like you are drowning sometimes, but this group has been endlessly supportive.

"The fact that we have so many members now you can even get answers in the middle of the night astounds me. I also feel it has become for many the first port of call."

Users can post questions and information about everything from getting back to work, postnatal depression and how to fix a broken pushchair.

Mrs Price hopes the money raised will help hire a space for meetings, as well as funding talks from guest speakers, health visitors and feeding specialists.

To join the group, search for Worcester Mums Network on Facebook, or to donate to the page, visit

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/worcester-mums-support-group.