Website can help mums in need of support

2:30pm Tuesday 5th August 2008

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MOTHERS in Worcestershire have been offered a new way to meet other parents and find out about activities near to where they live.

An online social network, called Netmums, is offering a wealth of information such as where to take children for a day out, what after-school activities are available or how to meet up with others.

Founder Sally Russell said the website was an online resource but was now branching out and setting up groups around the country.

She said: “People have always been able to use the site to make friends because there’s a Meet-a-Mum board.

“Two weeks ago we launched the Netmums Meetups and have had seven or eight people from Worcestershire volunteer to set up groups in their local areas.”

“Hopefully, we will soon have a few meet ups going on in local places.”

Mrs Russell said she helped set up the site after becoming a mother herself.

She said: “It’s about trying to reduce the isolation that mums often feel when they have young children.

“We just wanted to set up a local site where people can share information.”

There have now been 152 Netmums sites set up around the UK, including one for Worcestershire.

As well as activities, there is advice about parenting issues, information on local childcare options and ideas and advice on returning to work or working from home.

There are also recommendations from other Netmums members for local traders and domestic help and members can add their own recommendations as well as post questions and information on noticeboards.

The organisation also campaigns on issues affecting families with representatives meeting with politicians or joining government task forces.

Anyone interested in joining should visit netmums.com or via your Worcester News online at worcesternews.co.uk/families and register for the Worcestershire site.