Frome Birth Talk surpasses urgent fundraising target

Access to mental health support for parents across Frome has been saved after an urgent fundraising appeal by Frome Birth Talk raised over £11,550.

A total of 170 people donated to the charity’s appeal, including former clients, grandparents of families who have benefited from the service and many residents who were moved by the charity’s story and the impact it has on local parents.

The charity provides free and low‑cost counselling and peer support groups to anyone who is pregnant, in early parenthood or has experienced baby loss in the last two years.

The fundraising appeal was launched after the charity received multiple grant rejections, which meant it may have had to suspend new referrals.

The public response not only secured the immediate £10,000 needed to keep services running, but reached 115% of its target, giving the organisation breathing space to explore longer‑term funding options.

Director of Frome Birth Talk, Suzy Cristinacce, said, “We are overwhelmed by the kindness and urgency with which our community responded. Every donation, large or small, has helped us keep our waiting list open, keep waiting times short and ensure parents who reach out for help still have somewhere to turn.”

The campaign also sparked significant media interest, which the charity hopes the campaign will help lead to more long-term, sustainable support.

Suzy said, “We hope that awareness of Frome Birth Talk’s work and impact will lead to more grants as well as regular monthly donors. With regular income we can plan more confidently, support more families and continue the work that so many parents have told us has changed their lives. There will also be more opportunities to support our work in December as we are once again taking part in the Big Give campaign, where donations during the campaign week are doubled by match funding.”

In 2025, the charity supported hundreds of families across the region and their waiting list for counselling was less than four weeks, compared to the national 16-week average for NHS perinatal mental health support.

For more information or to support the charity’s ongoing work, visit www.fromebirthtalk.org

Pictured: Frome Birth Talk director Suzy Cristinacce

 

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