Diocese of Chichester

This Mothering Sunday Mothers’ Union’s work will be celebrated on the flagship T.V. show Songs of Praise, hosted by singer Katherine Jenkins. Mothers’ Union in Worthing, which will be featured on the programme, is just one example of how 50,000 members and volunteers across the U.K. continue to give their time by helping others, from the simple hand of friendship to incredible community projects like those provided at Worthing Hospital.

Despite all the best planning by families in the run up to the birth of a child, things don’t always turn out as imagined and sometimes heartbreakingly so. When one of the hardest things most parents might deal with happens, a stillborn or premature birth, Mothers’ Union provides support in the form of a memory bag, made with love, to capture every second of the babies’ life from when they are born. This could be the tiny hospital name tag or oxygen masks through to a baby-grow or mittens. Every memory is cherished. Mothers’ Union also provides a maternity pack with essential items such soaps, flannels, combs, sanitary products to ensure an emergency and unplanned visit to the hospital is a little less stressful.

Kylea Reynolds is one mum that has directly benefited from the support of Worthing Mothers’ Union:

“I had a very complicated birth with my third child, I was in and out of hospital throughout my pregnancy, often with no warning. The maternity packs provided by Mothers’ Union were a little bit of home for me, it just felt that when I was in a really difficult place, someone else cared and was thinking of me. My beautiful Logan was born at 20 weeks and the few hours we had with him before he passed away were some of the most precious minutes in my life. The staff at Worthing Hospital were amazing and charities, like Mothers’ Union, just make one of the most difficult times in your life more bearable. The special things including the gorgeous blanket that Logan was wrapped in and a memory bag to capture all the memories of the short time that we was with us was incredibly precious.

You often hear of the impact that large charities make, but for me, it is the support and love that comes through the local activities that Mothers’ Union does that should be celebrated. Never underestimate the feeling of comfort and hope that small gestures like this make. I will always remember the charities that helped me in this difficult time and hope that others will continue to support them so that they are able to continue this support for people that don’t know yet that they will need it.”

Through partnership with Worthing Hospital, Mothers’ Union supports staff, patients and families in many different ways. Another example is its Ministry of Cake project, where volunteer members deliver cake, tea and provide a listening ear to anyone that needs it every Monday. Karen Hill, West Tarring Branch leader explains why this is so important:

“People might think that tea and cake is a very Mothers’ Union thing to do.What they might not realise is it really breaks down barriers, shows people they are loved and cared for, provides respite or a distraction to a parent that is dealing with more than they can really process and gives a staff member that has had a difficult shift a real lift.”

Mothers’ Union’s Chief Executive, Bev Jullien, is excited about the movement’s positive impact on people’s lives. She said, “Our work in Worthing and with Kylea is a flagship example of a community approach to active faith and fellowship. We are truly a grassroots movement, making a difference when people really need it and work alongside them, learning and growing together.”

Mothers’ Union on BBC Songs of Praise for Mothering Sunday coincides with its annual Make a Mother’s Day Appeal that supports women locally and globally.

About Make A Mother’s Day Appeal

Supporters can buy ethical gifts, including those that empower women in their communities. In return they will receive a beautiful seeded greetings card that grows into beautiful wildflowers over the summer months

Find out more about the appeal here https://www.mothersunion.org/mothering-sunday.

When supporters buy an inspiring ethical gift for a mother, grandmother, aunty or carer, or in memory of a loved one, they will be helping women around the world in innumerable ways, including learning literacy skills, starting a business, gaining parenting skills and building peace in communities effected by civil conflict.

In the last decade, the Make a Mother’s Day Appeal has raised over £1.5million that has supported programmes like:

- Building hope and confidence: Across the world, Mothers' Union members are focused on creating safe inclusive families and strong local support networks. For example, since gaining its independence in 1960, the mineral conflict war in the Democratic Republic of Congo has devastated the country, leaving many women and children vulnerable and fearful for their lives with little hope for the future. Our work includes supporting local Programme Officers to provide trauma healing workshops to victims of civil conflict.

-Ending child marriage: Every year, 12 million girls marry before the age of 18. Child marriage is a human rights violation that robs girls of their childhood and can impact on their personal development and wellbeing. It is a practice that still happens across many countries, cultures and religions. Our work supports our members around the world to protect girls from early marriages and provides them with the support to continue their education which can unlock a world of opportunities.

Mothers’ Union’s work supports families closer to home including:

-Domestic violence: In the U.K., members work closely with local domestic violence refuges, providing essentials such as toiletries, food and clothing for women and children who have been forced to flee their home due to violence.

-Prisons: In the UK, members work closely with prisons to support parents of prisoners and prisoners when they leave prison.

About Mothers’ Union: Mothers’ Union is a movement of 4 million members in 84 countries worldwide. Founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner, Mothers’ Union is unique because our members work as volunteers in local communities, putting their faith into action by acts great and small, giving individuals in need a helping hand and engaging communities (of all faiths and none) to have the confidence and skills to transform their lives in sustainable ways. Thanks to donations and subscriptions, members, as volunteers, are transforming communities and the lives of families, women and men, through practical grassroots support, empowerment, and by challenging systems that perpetuate injustice at the local, national and international level.