Posted By: Michaela Parker
3rd September 2026
2 minute read
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) and Approachable Parenting launched Noor council in Birmingham on 8th July.
This is the second Council in a five-year project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and will work to help shape positive change for mothers, babies and families facing inequities due to being marginalised by race, face and culture across Birmingham and Solihull.
Our local partners for this Council, Approachable Parenting brought together key stakeholders within the local system, women with lived experience involved with the Council, as well as the wider community.
This diverse group of voices all came together to share priorities, reflect on lived experiences, and explore how systems and decision-making processes can be improved for families.
Through interactive discussions and role-play activities, key themes emerged around collaboration, communication, trust and the importance of understanding experiences from a parent's perspective.
Kathleen Roche-Nagi, Director at Approachable Parenting said, “The launch of the NOOR project marks an incredibly important milestone at Approachable Parenting in partnership with Material health Alliance. NOOR is rooted in our core values of Compassion, Diversity and Nurturing with a commitment to ensure that every family feels seen, heard and supported, particularly those from minority ethnic and marginalised communities who to often face inequality, discrimination and negative experiences within maternity systems.
As founding Director of Approachable Parenting, I am incredibly proud to see this vision come to life. We believe every mother and baby deserves dignity, respect, culturally sensitive support and equitable care. Noor is about listening, learning and creating meaningful change now for the future.”
The launch of the Noor project felt like a celebration; the enthusiasm was palpable. But it was also an event which didn’t shy away from the very real issues it hopes to address. Noor clearly has support from all across Birmingham and I look forward to see the changes it will no doubt bring.
Elizabeth Penny, Trustee for Maternal Mental Health Alliance
At Noor Council’s first listening circle, we listened to the collective voices of lived experience, and the message is clear. That women don’t just want to share their stories. They want change.
They want care that is compassionate, respectful, culturally responsive and joined-up and consistent.
We’re committed to turning voices into action, focused on maternity care that is compassionate, inclusive and responsive to every woman and birthing person.
These are the key priorities as we move forwards:
The Noor Project has been such a positive and meaningful journey for us at Approachable Parenting. It has given us the opportunity to open up important conversations around maternal mental health in a way that feels accessible, culturally sensitive, safe and relevant to the families and communities we work with.
We are incredibly excited to have the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) partnering with us and supporting this work. We are already seeing the message reaching people, starting conversations and helping to break down some of the stigma that can prevent women and families from seeking support.
A huge thank you to everyone at MMHA and Approachable Parenting for believing in the project and helping us take this important message further. I am really looking forward to seeing where Noor goes next.
Sumreen, Approachable Parenting
We look forward to updating you on more Maternal Mental Health Councils developments as we work with these incredible lived experience groups, around the country.
The Councils Programme sees the MMHA establishing Maternal Mental Health Councils across the UK. Each one will bring together women with lived experience, community organisations, and healthcare leaders to co-design and drive practical improvements in how care is delivered.
You can read more about the first Council, focussed on Complex Motherhood here.
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