10/10/2025
Exploring a New Idea for Rotherham Mums! 🤔
Here at Critters Community Network CIC, we're always thinking about how we can better support people across Rotherham. We've had an idea brewing, and we’d love to know what you think.
We know the first few weeks with a new baby can be a beautiful, exhausting, and overwhelming whirlwind. While there’s lots of focus on the new arrival, we want to make sure mums are being looked after, too.
So, what if we could create a free "New Mums Survival Kit"?
Imagine a simple shoebox, given to a new mum, filled with items just for her. Not for the baby, but to support her own physical and mental well-being. It could include things like:
* A little comfort: Cosy socks, soothing lip balm, or a nice hand cream.
* A practical boost: Dry shampoo for the days when a shower is a distant dream!
* An energy lift: Healthy snacks that can be eaten one-handed.
* A moment of calm: A couple of relaxing herbal tea bags.
* A vital connection: A handwritten note of encouragement and a list of all the brilliant, free support services available right here in Rotherham.
The goal is simple: to tackle isolation and let a new mum know that her community sees her, values her, and is rooting for her. ❤️
How Could We Make This a Reality?
This is just an idea for now, and this is where we need you. To bring this project to life across the whole of Rotherham, what would we need?
We think it would come down to 3 key things:
1. Donations: We'd need a supply of new, unused items to fill the boxes. Could we rely on community donations of things like travel-sized toiletries, snacks, notebooks, and pens?
2. Partnerships: To reach the mums who need this most, we'd need to partner with local health visitors, midwives, Children's Centres, and other community groups across the borough.
3. Funding: A small amount of funding would be crucial to buy essential items that aren't donated and to cover running costs.
So, over to you, Rotherham!
* Is this a service you think is needed?
* What would you have loved to find in a box like this?
* Do you have any other ideas on how we could make it happen?
Let us know everything in the comments below! 👇