Local charity Frome Birth Talk has launched an urgent fundraising campaign, calling on the community to help secure its future by increasing its team of monthly donors.
Running for five weeks, the campaign aims to raise an additional £1,000 per month in regular donations – covering 20% of the charity’s running costs.
Frome Birth Talk provides free professional counselling for anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby in the last two years, including those who have experienced baby loss. The charity also runs three vital support groups: Bump to Baby, Toddler Group and a baby loss support group.
“This is the first time we’ve had to reach out to our community in this way,” says director of Frome Birth Talk, Suzy Cristinacce.
“Without regular monthly support, we simply won’t survive. Grants are dwindling, and more charities are being forced to close. But if our community pulls together, we have a real chance to keep our essential work going.”
In 2024 alone, the charity provided counselling for 150 people and supported over 300 families through its groups. Despite very limited resources and a tiny staff team, Frome Birth Talk continues to have a profound positive impact on local families.
Local mother Zoë Bolton and her partner used the service after they experienced multiple miscarriages. “It was a traumatic, confusing and very dark time in my life. My mental and physical health deteriorated and I only started to recover with the compassionate, sensitive and approachable care of the counsellors at Frome Birth Talk.”
Frome Birth Talk’s annual running costs are around half that of just one NHS psychiatrist. Suzy said, “We deliver incredible value for money while preventing more severe mental health crises down the line, saving the NHS and our community hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
A staggering 60% of Frome Birth Talk’s counselling clients are signposted through the NHS – via GPs, health visitors, or midwives – yet the charity receives no government funding.
“Health care professionals rely on us to provide a universal service for all local people who need it,” says Suzy. “If we disappear, there will be extremely limited options for midwives, health visitors and GPs who want to refer parents who are struggling during early pregnancy and early parenthood or after a loss, as most people will not qualify for specialist NHS support.
“If you or someone you love has ever benefited from our service, or if you simply believe in the power of mental health support, please consider becoming a monthly donor. No amount is too small or too large, and your contribution will directly help us continue this vital work.”
To donate, either monthly or as a one-off, visit Frome Birth Talk’s LocalGiving page at localgiving.org/charity/fromebirthtalk or find them on social media.
