Collective aims to create supportive 'home' for mothers
The Village Collective in the Ettalong Galleria aims to create a home to mother's groups, workshops, masterclasses, baby-drop in clinics and baby playgroups.
Founders are friends Ms Kathryn Stoneman and Harriet Blannin-Ferguson.
Ms Stoneman runs doula service Mamma Nurture, supporting women through pregnancy, birth and postpartum, while Ms Blannin-Ferguson is an internationally-certified lactation consultant and a registered midwife with The Breast Help.
"The early years of motherhood were often stressful and confusing," they said.
"Seeking out postpartum services that we desperately needed closer to home on the south end of the coast was a challenge.
"We aim to provide a supportive village through The Village Collective for women and mothers just like us, with multiple points of contact with young families to share valuable information to them, before they realise they need it.
"Support for mothers and their young families is hand delivered, alongside a suite of allied health services and treatment options."
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has commended the pair for establishing wrap-around supports for young mothers at The Village Collective.
"We are so fortunate to have such fabulously creative new people moving into our community and pursuing great opportunities to build and grow the great space where we live.
"The Village Collective is a fresh, inviting and calm space with a beautiful studio, consultation room and therapy room located in The Galleria at Ettalong Beach.
"It is home to a collective of pregnancy, postpartum health and wellness practitioners and allied health services who offer services out of the two rooms alongside courses, workshops and master-classes held within the studio space.
"I had the privilege of dropping in on a Mums and Bubs yoga session and it felt like heaven. "You can feel the serenity and care that is offered at this facility as soon as you step inside the Village.
"You hear all too often that motherhood can be a lonely experience at times, and it is fantastic to see two pioneering local mothers passionately dedicated to supporting mothers and families, providing a hub where lasting connections with others at similar stages of life are built."
SOURCE:
Media release, 23 Sep 2024
Joely Langmaid, Office of Member for Gosford