FREE CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS APART

This service is run by a very small team of volunteers who are all exclusively mothers apart from their children. The volunteers are all MATCHmothers.  They have all received training to volunteer on the helpline and are under the supervision of a qualified therapist to support them when they take a challenging call. They meet regularly to ensure that their mental health is not compromised.

They are here for you with a sympathetic ear and perhaps some insights that you have not thought of before to help you on your journey. They are all mothers apart from their children for a variety of reasons. Some volunteers will talk about it with you, some will not be ready to share their situation, but they all understand. They are all matchmothers.

As they are a small team of volunteers, at times the line may not be manned at the stated times due to volunteer illness or emergency. All calls are recorded. We will not tolerate abuse of our volunteers.

When we are worried about your safety or that you are being hurt either by your own actions or by someone else, we want to help you to find the best way to keep yourself safe.

We'll do this by listening and by talking to you about what you want to do. Most of the time whatever you tell us will stay between you and MATCHmothers volunteers.

However, if we feel that you are unable to make decisions for yourself sometimes we might need to tell someone else what you’ve told us to be able to help you.

This will apply to all children. Under some circumstances it may also apply to adults, if for example, you are not able to make a decision about your own safety because you don’t understand the risks, if you cannot remember the situation you are in, or if you lose consciousness whilst you are on the phone to us.

If you share information with us which identifies a child or adult at risk who is suffering abuse or harm, after discussion with you, we may contact other relevant services.

We can only help in these situations if we have information which identifies you. 

We will have a record of your telephone number which will recorded on the volunteer line and also at the telephone head office. All calls are recorded and stored for a period of 1 month. 

Your call may be used for training purposes however this will only be done with your permission. 

Please note, we are not a counselling or legal advice service and are not trained as such. Our volunteers are able to provide advice, signposting, a listening ear and an empathetic support network.