Shine was founded in 2014. Run by Lauraine Cheesman, who experienced terrible postnatal depression and anxiety after the birth of her daughter, the charity offers creative art therapy courses, peer support and weekly drop-in sessions for struggling mums.

Our 12-week courses include a selection of tools and coping strategies and art therapy, as well as the magic of meeting other mums, experiencing the same thing, in a safe, confidential non-judgemental place. We supply a creche during the two hour courses each week, to ensure the mums get some crucial time out and nurturing, and our regular drop-in session offer a safe, welcoming space throughout rhe week. We now have Shine courses and drop-ins running in Cirencester, Swindon, Gloucester and Dursley.

Since we we started, we have supported over 350 mums and families, and branched out to start year-round weekly drop-in sessions and developed a closed Facebook group which has become a lifeline of support and advice for many mums.

We have been honoured to work with celebrities such as actress Daisy May Cooper, herself having struggled with depression and been through the Shine course, and we have been generously supported by the Big Lottery Fund, St James’ Place and Barnwood Trust and the Gloucestershire Community Foundation, amongst others. Lauraine is now deeply involved with Gloucestershire Health and Care services and the NHS Foundation Trust, attending focus groups and speaking at training events across the county, and was recently awarded a British Citizen’s award for her work in mental health.

Lauraine says: “I am inspired by nature and kindness.  I have always been creative, and having studied art at university it feels amazing to be sharing the benefits with so many mums today.  Having survived severe maternal mental illness myself, I am now passionate about reaching back to others on that same difficult journey, and through Shine we can arm mums with coping strategies and empowering information, enabling them to move forward with positivity and strength…finally able to help themselves. I feel so lucky to have met so many wonderful, brave mummies over the years and to be part of their journeys… and very proud of the nurturing, supportive community they have created.”

Lauraine has written about her own personal battle with depression and anxiety, which you can read here, along with several other stories from extrordinary Shine mums.