Our work with MBU's

At Sport in Mind, we are passionate about using the power of physical activity to transform lives. One of our key focuses is supporting women experiencing perinatal mental health challenges during their stay in Mother and Baby Units (MBUs).

What Are Mother and Baby Units?

Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) are specialised in-patient facilities that provide comprehensive mental health care for women experiencing severe mental health issues during pregnancy or after childbirth. Unlike general psychiatric wards, MBUs allow mothers and their babies to stay together, fostering the critical bond between mother and child while ensuring both receive the care they need. The support in MBUs is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and occupational therapists, all working together to help mothers recover and thrive.

Our Approach at Sport in Mind

We collaborate with Mother and Baby Units to deliver tailored physical activity programmes designed to support the unique needs of each mother and her baby. Our sessions are inclusive, nurturing, and led by professionals who understand the challenges of perinatal mental health. Whether it's a gentle yoga or Pilates stretch and strength class, our goal is to inspire hope, promote recovery, and enhance well-being.

By integrating physical activity into the care provided by MBUs, we aim to empower mothers to rediscover their strength and nurture a thriving bond with their babies. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of these incredible women and their children

Our current work in MBUs

In 2024 we launched two pilot programmes in Melbury Lodge (Clover Ward) MBU in Winchester in April and Florence House MBU near Bournemouth in September.

In Melbury Lodge Sport in Mind have been offering free weekly classes of gentle yoga and in Clover Ward we are offering Somatic Wellbeing. We have seen a really positive impact of these classes for the mums on the ward as well as the staff.

“Exercise and movement is such a key part of our wellbeing and is such a crucial part of recovery, which is often hugely overlooked. Staying still contributes to staying stuck; so much of our mental health is connected to our physical health and in promoting activity we are in turn encouraging better mental health outcomes. On the most simple level, exercise releases endorphins and serotonin, which are both key players in improving our mood. We are so excited to be able to offer yoga to our Mums on the ward, not only does this give them a focus (or even distraction from their worries at the time) but also educates them on the importance or reconnecting with their bodies and movement. To keep moving forward in recovery, you need to keep moving . Thank you Sport in Mind for this very simple, but powerful step in promoting exercise as a key part of treatment and recovery for both physical and mental illness”

Charlotte Swain, Ward Manager at Clover Ward MBU

To learn more about our in-patient work, please email [email protected].