Contact us

Contact us on info@lifeboatpmh.com or 07800 993614 for referral

Support criteria

• We can support birth parents and/or their partners who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges eg. Anxiety or depression primarily related to pregnancy, birth or the transition to parenthood.
• Support can be offered from the start of pregnancy until your youngest child turns 2 years old.
• We are unable to support parents who have children on a child protection plan, unless Lifeboat is part of the plan by agreement.
• Parents should be resident within Bristol, South Gloucestershire, B&NES or North Somerset. However, online support may be available for parents outside of these areas.

What is peer support?

As peer support workers, we have our own lived experience of perinatal mental illness, so we really can empathise. Empathy is not sympathy – its about being able to understand your perspective, to feel, share and respond to your experience. We get it because we have been there too.

Sometimes just telling someone who “gets it” can be incredibly empowering, and we are here to listen and to provide a confidential space for you to talk.

This enables you to feel safe when sharing your difficult thoughts and experiences and to feel validated and heard. Parents tell us that sharing difficult thoughts and feelings helps to normalise their experience and make them feel less alone. They feel more hopeful – that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

We offer an holistic approach to support your wellbeing. We work flexibly to adapt to your particular challenges and desired outcomes. We will be guided by what you want to focus on.

By using an occupational approach to structure your sessions, we will help you identify those things which are meaningful to you - whether it be looking after yourself, feeling more productive or finding what makes you tick, helping you restore more balance to your life.

• We can offer a friendly face and a listening ear
• We can suggest evidence-based strategies for managing your mental health
• We can support you with parenting and household duties
• We can support you to attend activities outside the home e.g. attending a new baby group for the first time or accompanying you on a walk
• We can be your advocate if you need a voice to talk with other health professionals
• We can signpost or refer you to other services

Everybody’s journey is different and there will be some hills to climb.

However, you do not have to journey alone – we will be with you when you need us!

Pricing

First appointment £45 face-to-face/online : This will last 60-90min and will involve quite a bit of information gathering and some assessments. This allows us to help you identify your challenges and develop a recovery plan with you which meets your desired requirements

Subsequent appointments £45 face-to-face/online/phone : These will last up to 1 hour. We will assist you in exploring your challenges and support you in working through them.

Pre-book 4 appointments over a maximum of 2 months for £35 per appointment

For areas outside of Bristol and South Glos there will be an additional charge for travel.

Please note: Cancellations within 24hours of an appointment will be fully chargeable