The MWM Peer Mentoring Programme 

Designed to support you to support each other!

“One of the things that motivated me to begin Mothers Who Make was an unhappy dynamic I observed in the mother and baby groups I attended after my son was born. Everyone present was desperate for support and connection and yet somehow, all too often, the mothers would inadvertently undermine one another, slipping into a culture of comparison, instead of one of compassion. I wanted to create a group that would support mothers to support each other. “ Matilda Leyser (MWM Founder)

What is the programme?

A way to find you an artistic alternative to a partner in crime - a partner in care and creativity! Our Peer Mentoring Programme enables you to receive regular support and accountability as you do the almighty work of holding a caring role and sustaining your creative identity. It works like a kind of dating agency for creative mothers and carers: according to your interests and needs, you will be paired up with someone else for an agreed period of time (anything from 4 to 12 weeks). You will agree on a way to hold a weekly or fortnightly exchange with your partner - a phone call, a zoom call, an email, a letter, an in person meeting, a voice-note, or whichever method suits you both best. As part of each exchange, you will take it in turns to hold the role of mentor and mentee. MWM will provide three live calls, weekly emails, and access to a special area of our website where you will find simple, accessible guidelines as to how to mentor one another and be mentored, based on the understanding that each one of us, ultimately, holds the answers to our own questions and conundrums. 

Who is it for?

  • YOU! 

  • If you want some support around a particular project.

  • If you want to begin to reclaim your creative identity.

  • If you are at any point of change and transition (and there are so many!), the point at which your children have just arrived, or the point at which they have just left home, to name but two.

  • If you want to acknowledge everything you are holding and start to find some space within it.

  • If you feel like an imposter.

  • If you are lonely. 

  • If you feel lost or confused.

  • Or if you just like the sound of it.

How does it work?

1) Write to Matilda by October 11th to express your interest in taking part. Please let her know about:

  • Your mothering (for whom you care/ have cared)

  • Your making practice - what you make or are dreaming of making

  • Where you are based

  • Why you are interested in the Peer Mentoring Programme and what you hope to get out of it.

  • Your preferred method(s) of exchanging: phone; online video platform; email; letter; in person meet up; audio/ video notes AND the best times of day for you to do your exchange (only applicable if you wish to do phone/ online call/ in person meet up).

  • For how long you want to work (between 4 and 12 weeks) and how often you want to exchange (once a week or once a fortnight). You can also state if you are flexible about this.

Based on your answers Matilda will pair you up with someone suitable, to be your peer mentor/ mentee.

Commitment:

  • One opening group online call in October. This will provide a chance to meet each other, and for Matilda to go through the guidelines and answer any questions. If you are keen to participate but cannot attend the call live, then you can still apply to the programme - we will record the session and you can listen to it later.

  • One exchange per week or fortnight, for the agreed time (4-12 weeks) with your partner- the timing and form to be set with them as suits you both. E.g. an hour’s phone call per week. 

  • There will also be a group call for extra support after four weeks, and another after eight weeks to close this cycle of the programme (although some of you may choose to work over a twelve week period).

Cost:

Our policy is that no one should ever be prohibited from participating due to financial barriers. In order to cover our costs and make this programme sustainable we are therefore offering three options:

1)    £25 for Matronage Members. You can become a Matron Saint for as little as £12 a year which entitles you to a half price access to this programme, and all the other benefits of our Matrons! (These are: access for free to all International Support Meetings, Mother Dens, and participation in our Mother Pot commissioning fund when we reach 200 Matron Saints).

2)    £50 Full price, or £40, concessions. 

3)    If cost is a barrier please let us know in your application as we are able to offer a limited number of free spaces.