MUMSCLICK — me time for mothers

Winners of Our Mothers in Business Competition

We are delighted to announce the latest winners of our Mothers in Business Competition.

Elaine Hanzak
Elaine Hanzak never expected to be flying out to Sydney, Australia, to talk to the world’s leading academics and practitioners involved in maternal mental health but 12 years after her son was born this is on her agenda for September 2008. Since her book was published in 2005 about her journey through postnatal illness, entitled ‘Eyes without Sparkle’, she resigned her former teaching career to become a speaker and author on the subject. Click here to see the review of her book in the MUMSCLICK BookClub.

By sharing her story many others have since told her theirs and as such she has now become an ‘Expert by Experience’ and raises awareness and campaigns for better resources for those affected by the illness. One in six new mothers can suffer from poor mental health after having a baby, and in some recent research it is quoted as high as 52%, yet it remains a taboo subject. Elaine remains determined to keep it high on healthcare agendas and society as a whole.

She speaks to a wide range of health professionals, unions and students; support groups; charities; service groups such as Inner Wheel and to corporate audiences such as Capita. Her talks are a moving yet humorous presentation for anyone looking for an inspirational and motivational speaker on postnatal illness.

One of her latest developments is to talk to employers about raising the issue of mental ill health and how to react to an employee who is affected.

She is also working with some European countries, such as Latvia, to help them raise awareness of the subject too. Closer to home plans are in place to set up support group for families affected by postnatal illness and then to roll the programme out to other areas. You can contact Elaine via MUMSCLICK - click here to view her profile and contact her. Or click here to go to her website.

Mr Darcey's Cottage

Julie Ferguson (mrdarcey on MUMSCLICK) produces 'wearable art’ - unique designer knitwear, hand knitted shawls, wraps and scarves, creative gift ideas, felted bags, cushions, pictures, dolls and toys, and a range of pins and brooches. (the picture above is of her 'Debonair Sophia'. 

 Each one off shawl incorporates elements of colour, texture and stitchery in the design. A design sheet showing the inspiration for each piece is included with your purchase. Read all about her business, her passion for knitting and view her beautiful pieces by clicking here .

Well done ladies! We will publish the stories of Elaine and Julie over the next couple of months which will include their experiences, challenges and successes.

The next Mothers in Business Competition will be held after the summer holidays. We will post the details on the site and will keep you notified of the closing date via our newsletters. All existing applications will be kept on file unless you tell us not to.

Posted by:

MUMSCLICK

Date:

17 June 2008

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