Have you experienced pregnancy after baby loss? Are you a Pakistani or Bangladeshi mother living in England? Researchers at the University of Manchester want to hear your voice. They’re designing a project to better understand and support the maternity care needs of Pakistani and Bangladeshi women after losing a baby. Please share widely to help us reach more women who may benefit.
Our Outreach staff at St Marys Hospital, antenatal clinic supporting women during and after pregnancy, working in collaboration with NHS Greater Manchester.
Calling all mums & mums-to-be! Have you experienced low mood or depression after childbirth? Your voice matters! Join us in co-designing a brand-new app to support women with postpartum depression, tailored for South Asian communities.
Ethnic Health Forum (EHF) staff attended an insightful workshop at Tommy’s Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre (MFHRC), based at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. We gained insight into the centre’s pioneering efforts to reduce stillbirths through research focused on causes, prevention, and better outcomes for pregnant women, both locally and across the UK. The workshop also opened doors for future collaboration between MFHRC and EHF, with a shared mission to strengthen inclusive community involvement, particularly from underrepresented and minority groups. We’re proud to support and celebrate the life-changing work.
Are you a British South Asian mother, parent, or caregiver of a child with an intellectual disability? Your voice matters. Join us for a community-led discussion on parenting interventions designed to support mothers navigating depression and mental well-being. Let's share insights, experiences, and culturally tailored solutions.
EHF was proud to participate in the Fifteen Steps for Maternity & Neonatal event at Saint Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road. We joined an observational walk through the delivery unit, triage, antenatal/postnatal wards, and neonatal unit—gaining valuable insights into patient experience. The feedback session with clinicians and staff sparked key action points to improve care.
Over warm chai and heartfelt conversations, we dived into a topic YOU requested: Menopause and Pre-Menopause Awareness. The takeaway? Menopause is not the end—it’s a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth and empowerment.
Through our Manchester Happy Homes project, EHF proudly took part in Manchester City Council’s Safe and Healthy Beginnings Plan event. Our mission is to reduce infant mortality and strengthen partnerships with Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise Sectors (VCSEs). By working with VCSEs, we’re building stronger networks to improve the lives of families and ensure every baby has the best chance to thrive. Together, we’re creating a healthier, happier start for babies in Manchester!
Expecting a baby? Let us help you on your pregnancy journey. Visit our drop-in at North Manchester Hospital Antenatal Clinic for tailored support and guidance. Whether it’s about welfare advice, emotional well-being, or navigating maternity leave, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. Let’s make your pregnancy experience smoother together!
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Happy Homes Project: Supporting Families in Need! Through community partnerships, we’re coming together to make a meaningful impact for families across Manchester, providing essential items for babies and mums who need them most. Thanks to the generosity of Early Essentials Manchester, Manchester City Council, and Saint Mary's Hospital, we’re delivering baby essentials like clothing, diapers, and care items, plus vital vitamins for healthy starts. Together, we're building a stronger, healthier community — one family at a time. Join us on this incredible journey to make every home a happy home!
We're here to support Ethnic Minority Families in Longsight!. Join us every Wednesday at Longsight Children's Centre from 10am to 1pm for our weekly drop-in sessions, where families can get vital support and guidance in a safe, friendly space. We are happy to support with well-being advice, parenting support, and more. Bring your questions, bring a friend, or just drop in to see how we can help! All are welcome—let’s build a stronger community together
It was such a pleasure to reunite with the amazing Arabic ladies' group in Cheetham Hill. Together, we delved into child development and well-being, sharing insights on building trust with our children, addressing their concerns with care, and simplifying their lives for a brighter future. Your stories and experiences inspire us to create stronger, more supportive communities.
In collaboration with GMCVO, EHF presents “Living Life to the Full: Enjoy Your Baby”—a free, supportive 6-week program for new parents with babies aged 0-12 months. Join us in-person or online to connect with other parents, gain practical strategies, and learn how to create a calm, joyful environment for you and your little one
EHF joined hands with the amazing Infant Feeding Team Manchester to celebrate the vital role of breastfeeding in nurturing our future generation. This collaborative event brought together EHF, the Infant Feeding Team, and other passionate organizations, showing our community that every mother deserves support on her breastfeeding journey.
EHF was honoured to support Saint Mary's Hospital during their baby loss awareness week event. We stood alongside mothers as they lit candles and wrote heartfelt messages in memory of their lost babies. While this deeply emotional event was organised by St. Mary's, we were grateful to participate, offering our support as these courageous women shared their grief, love, and cherished memories. Together, we continue to raise awareness and stand with families affected by baby loss.
We were delighted to be able to organise the community outreach event within the Salford community. We at Ethnic Health Forum are dedicated to helping families from all backgrounds in Salford. By collaborating with health visitors and mental health services, we’re working to ensure every family receives the support they need to build Happy Homes. Here is our dedicated outreach worker at Saint Mary's Hospital, promoting Ethnic Health Forum's Manchester Happy Homes Project. She connected with mums, provided essential vitamins for them and their babies, and ensured they are receiving the benefits they’re entitled to, including 'Healthy Start' vouchers. Empowering families, one visit at a time.
Ethnic health forum had the pleasure to participate in the Salford CVS grants event at the Lowry, where we introduced the Salford Happy Homes Project to the local community with a video presentation and leaflets. We are excited to share with you some memories taken from a number of community engagement events organised by EHF to date within the Salford community. We give an utmost thanks to all who took the time to attend, and I hope that we were able to succeed in our mission of empowering the health and wellbeing of the community and create a positive, everlasting experience.
We are thrilled to celebrate our first anniversary at Happy Homes and to showcase the incredible accomplishments of this busy year. Since our inception, we have been dedicated to supporting families through a range of services. A heartfelt thank you to our guest speakers and the community members who joined us for this special event. Their support has been instrumental in our journey.We want to extend a huge shout-out to our amazing team and volunteers whose dedication and hard work have been the backbone of our organisation. Their efforts on the ground and behind the scenes have made a significant difference in the lives of many. Having positively impacted over 200 families, we understand the essential role Happy Homes plays in our community. The stories and feedback we have received reaffirm the importance of our mission.
March has been an incredibly productive month for Happy Homes as we continue to engage in various research collaborations, particularly in the field of perinatal care with the University of Manchester. Our ongoing research projects include Induced Labour, Healthy Start, Gestational Diabetes, Vitamin D Research & Roshni 3-Post natal depression. The team have been working tirelessly, encouraging clients to come forward and share their experiences and voices. Their participation is invaluable and helps shape the future of maternal and child health research.
In February 2024, after being trained by the wonderful Grace on Healthy Start, we are excited to host drop-in sessions at St Mary’s Oxford Road. These sessions will focus on supporting families with Healthy Start applications, assessing their needs, and distributing essential vitamins for mothers and babies. If you would like some vitamins, give us a call. Join us in ensuring every family has access to the resources they need for a healthy start
January 2024 marks the beginning of drop-in sessions across Greater Manchester, where we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our ethnic minority Volunteers. Their invaluable support in assisting families in need, attending drop-ins, and engaging in outreach work is truly commendable. We extend a big THANK YOU from EHF for their dedication and commitment to helping us ensure that all families receive the support they require.
At EHF, we take pride in supporting families and we've learnt from our case studies and the support we've provided. This Christmas, we're taking time off from community work to reflect, learn from the past year, undergo training, and strategise on how we can better tackle challenges in the future. It's also time to celebrate our hard work and achievements in the year 2023.
Our team is excited to announce the newest addition, Habiba, who joins us in our mission. We've been actively participating in huddles at St. Mary's, engaging with health visitors, and collaborating with Early Help to serve our community better. We've introduced a referral form to streamline our process, enabling organisations to initiate referrals efficiently. Stay connected with us by scanning our QR code for quick access and updates.
Recognising the growing need for peer support, we have launched several peer support groups in Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, and Kurdish. Additionally, we offer online Zoom meetings to support mothers during pregnancy and after birth. No question is too silly to ask, and knowing that there is someone to help can make a difference!
We are thrilled to organise the Manchester Happy Homes launch event in September 2023. It was an incredible success, filled with inspiration, connection, and joy!Our event was graced by passionate midwives, insightful CBT therapists, and dedicated representatives from Research Capacity & Capability Team. Their heartfelt presentations resonated deeply, leaving everyone inspired and motivated. The room was buzzing with energy as community members and health professionals came together, each bringing their unique perspectives and a shared commitment to promote well-being. Guests were treated to mouth-watering homemade samosas and chaat. These delightful treats added a special touch, making everyone feel right at home.
Jaweria embarked on an exciting journey to develop the project.Her initial focus was on project development, where she and the team worked tirelessly to brainstorm ideas and outline plans for upcoming initiatives.As part of her role, Jaweria dedicated herself to community outreach i.e attending Baby week, and reaching out to over 30 individuals and families to offer support and resources. She also engaged in networking with relevant stakeholders, building strong connections and partnerships to further project mission.
Happy Homes - a psychosocial support for minority ethnic communities during perinatal period launched a pormotional video to share and explain the project modalities across social media platforms and disseminate same message across agencies, VCSE and communities.
Jaweria's selection followed a rigorous selection process, during which her outstanding community skills, teaching experience, and personal journey through the perinatal stage stood out to the Ethnic Health Forum. Her combination of professional expertise and first-hand understanding made her the ideal candidate for the job. We're confident that Jaweria's unique blend of skills and experiences will greatly contribute to our mission of supporting the health and well-being of our community. Welcome aboard, Jaweria! 🎉🌟
We sat down with Be Well colleagues to set our aims and objectives, ensuring that the funding is used effectively. We also advertised a job opening for a Project Worker and conducted interviews to find the right candidate.
We are thrilled to announce that Be Well has accepted and funded our Manchester Happy Homes Project. This incredible support will enable us to start our mission of creating happier, healthier homes in our community. A huge thank you to Be Well for believing in our vision and helping us make a positive impact. Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming projects and initiatives. Together, we’re building a brighter future! 🌟#ManchesterHappyHomes #BeWell #CommunitySupport #HealthyLiving #PositiveChange
Drawing on our long‑standing and deeply rooted health & social care service delivery, community engagements and needs assessment work with the minority ethnic communities, we have consistently listened to families' voices, stories, and lived realities. Through this process, we identified a profound and persistent gap in culturally responsive psychosocial support for families during pregnancy and the critical first 12 months after birth. Community feedback highlighted not only unmet clinical needs, but also feelings of isolation, anxiety, financial pressure, and a lack of culturally safe spaces where parents, particularly mothers, can speak openly and feel understood. For many migrant and minority ethnic families, the perinatal journey is shaped by multiple layers of vulnerability, including language barriers, unfamiliar health systems, cultural dislocation, insecure immigration status, and the loss of traditional family networks. These factors contribute significantly to health and social inequalities and too often remain invisible within mainstream provision. Families told us they needed support that recognises their strengths, honours their cultures, and walks alongside them with compassion and dignity at one of the most transformative moments of their lives – CHILDBIRTH.
In response to this evidence, and following extensive consultation with families, community leaders, healthcare professionals, and voluntary sector partners, we are proud to launch our perinatal psychosocial support service designed specifically for minority ethnic families. This programme was conceived and shaped by Rauf, Head of Research, Strategy & innovation@EHF, an experienced health promotion and public health practitioner with a long‑standing commitment to community‑led change, and reflects years of trust‑building, careful planning, and collective support from colleagues. The service, Bayoot Saeedah, meaning "Happy Homes", takes its name from an Arabic term also widely understood in Urdu. The name symbolises safety, warmth, emotional well-being, and the Home's central role in nurturing thriving families. Bayoot Saeedah is rooted in the belief that emotionally supported parents raise healthier, more resilient children, and that every family, regardless of background, deserves this foundation.
As part of the VCSE sector, we recognise our unique role in bridging gaps between communities and statutory services. Happy Home works collaboratively with primary care, maternity services, mental health providers, and other relevant agencies to ensure families receive joined‑up, compassionate care.