APP's delivery of pamper packs to mums in Mother and Baby Units

Action on Postpartum Psychosis is delighted to be working with Walgreens Boots Alliance to deliver pamper packs and resources to every mum currently admitted to a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU).

There are 22 Mother and Baby Units run by the NHS across the UK. APP has Peer Support Workers embedded with these teams in Chorley, Manchester and Birmingham but connecting with Mother and Baby Units more widely is central to our work with mums and families. Hearing from APP can often be the start of a lifelong connection for women to the charity, providing hope and enabling women to access peer support and much more.

The packs are made up of beautifully gifted pamper items including moisturiser and soaps, which have been donated by Walgreens Boots Alliance. They also contain letters from APP which explain more about our peer support service and link to our website where families affected by PP can find help, information and support.

The idea for pamper packs to MBUs came from APP volunteer Gemma and her husband Stephen. They first organised deliveries in 2020 as a way of providing a small boost to mothers who were unwell, providing a little bit of “me time” to help their recovery. Gemma made a delivery of the packs to Brockington Parent and Baby Unit this year (Gemma is pictured left with the packs and Unit staff).

Dr Jess Heron, Chief Executive of Action on Postpartum Psychosis said,

APP’s pamper packs are organised by our lived experience staff and volunteers and go out to inpatient psychiatric Mother and Baby Units. It’s our way of providing a little comfort and hope amid the storm. Everything in the packs has been kindly donated by Boots, a very generous donation to support mums.

A mum who received one of our pamper packs in 2020 said,

I didn’t feel like I deserved anything nice...And then this package was kindly given to me and the other mums on the unit. It was like someone gave me permission to do the things I'd resisted as a form of punishment for myself: i.e. brushing / washing my hair or even showering. These gifts hold so much meaning to the women who receive them. I cannot thank Action on Postpartum Psychosis enough for this gift...

This year Walgreens Boots Alliance staff have gone above and beyond to support the distribution of the pamper packs, volunteering their time to parcel up the gifts, folding letters and getting the packs ready for shipping (pictured below).  Staff have also kindly volunteered to hand deliver the packs to MBU’s near their offices - adding a really personal touch to their support. The pamper packs would not be possible without the generous support of Walgreens Boots Alliance.  We would like to thank them all for their invaluable help.

We have received some lovely feedback from MBUs across the UK. The team at the West of Scotland MBU said:

Huge thank you to @ActionOnPP and @BootsUK for the lovely donation of spring pamper packs for our women. The gifts went down a treat tonight and were very appreciated.

And further feedback from staff at Combewood MBU, sharing on social media:

Thank you @actiononpp for sending such thoughtful self-care packs for our mums.

Deliveries being made to Birmingham (left below) and Leeds (right below) MBUs by APP staff.

If you’re interested in being involved in future pamper pack projects, please get in touch app@app-network.org.