Conference 2021.

Morning Session

Our Chair, Anne Fennell, opened our annual conference and then we heard from Miriam Cates MP. This is followed by a roundup of this year’s work during our AGM.

Politics, it is said, is the art of the possible. Miriam addresses Mothers at Home Matter on what is possible to achieve at Westminster; how we can change the nature of the debate and effect real change both economically and socially. Miriam, a mother of three, was herself a stay-at-home mother until entering Parliament as MP for Penistone & Stocksbridge at the 2019 election.

Developing skills whilst raising the next generation

Are you aware of the wide range of valuable personal skills that you are developing whilst raising a family? Often these skills aren’t fully recognised, but being more aware of them can help you to return at any time to the paid workplace with more confidence. Whether you are just starting or finishing looking after family full-time, Ronnie Cloke-Browne explains more.

Your Voice: the focus group response

What made you decide not to return to work full-time? Maybe you had to but want to based at home now? What have been the most challenging aspects of being a mum at home? How have you and your family experienced lockdown? What would you like to see MAHM do in the future? These are just some of the questions Maria Lyons and Joan Currie explored in a series of focus groups with mums and this session is a chance to hear how participants responded and continues the conversation.

MAHM support networks nationwide.

Come and hear more about our fantastic local support groups and how this year many have gone from meeting online to meeting face to face! From coffee dates, playdates, park meets, walks in the woods and mum dinners - our groups have lots of fun. We hear from group leaders and group members about why they think the groups are such a great place to make friends and get support as a mum at home. We want to welcome all mums, whether you're at home full time or part time, it's about meeting like-minded mums who share the same values.

Family Policy: what can we change?

Government 'family friendly' policies for the last couple of decades have focussed on getting mothers back into work and extending childcare. But are these really family friendly? Do they consider the needs of the child? What policies should we be focussing on to help parents who wish to stay at home to care themselves and how can MAHM be most effective? Anne Fennell chairs this discussion which includes the unfairness of the UK’s taxation system.