Raindrops to Rainbows brings a smile to struggling new mums

Stephanie Addison, from Hartlepool, set up Raindrops to Rainbows in 2013 after suffering from the condition herself.

She felt there was not enough support for women and their families and formed the organisation, which now has five branches covering an area from Billingham to Jarrow.

Her excellent work has won her a nomination for the Best of Hartlepool awards, and Stephanie said: “I am overwhelmed. It is so lovely that someone has even thought of putting me forward.

“What we do is help other mums.

“I went through post-
natal depression, which is why I started it – for mums who said there was nothing out there.”

She said that knowing she had helped other mums was “reward in itself to me”.

Raindrops to Rainbows is a free group which sees mums – and husbands and partners – benefit from talking to people who have been through a similar situation.

The nomination for the awards said: “The feedback from families who have used the service is that they have found it invaluable.”

Stephanie has plans to expand the service even further and said: “I definitely want to open more, wherever and whenever we can get the space and the time.

“There is a need for it. a lot of mums have said they wished they had this when their children were born. They are quite supportive and they spread the word. This is a hidden illness and we want to get people to understand that there is support out there for them.”

For more details on the group, visitwww.raindropstorainbows.co.uk.

The Best of Hartlepool awards are held in association with Niramax, and in which Specsavers, Stagecoach North East and Hart Biologicals are category sponsors.

The deadline for entries is Saturday, April 2.

After that, judges will draw up a shortlist. The grand final is at the Hardwick Hall Hotel on Tuesday, April 26.

We know there are heroes galore out there who are worthy of awards. To nominate, send your name, address and telephone number, the name of the business or person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email address (if known).

State which category your nomination applies to (from the list of categories) and provide a description of the reasons for your nomination (no more than 300 words)

Post your nomination to: Nicola Meldrum, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland. DH4 5RA.

Alternatively, you may email [email protected] or [email protected].