General
About Us
Quick Links
- Our mission
- What is Netmums?
- Our campaigns
- Siobhan's blog
- Netmums in the media
- What people say about us
- Using your local site
Whether you're a Netmums 'Newbie' or a seasoned visitor you can get to know us a bit better on this page - how Netmums works, the core values that we believe in and the campaigns we've spear-headed over the years.
There are also snippets from the press - we like being talked about! - and some lovely comments from celebrity fans, as well as the people that matter the most - our community of fabulous mums, dads and carers up and down the country!
"Netmums has become a National Institution", The Daily Telegraph
"Netmums is the new Mothers' Union", The Sunday Times
"Netmums is a wonderful source of information and support", Fern Britton, ITV's This Morning.
To help families have fun with and enjoy their children
To bring people together to make our local communities more lively and friendly
To make it unnecessary for any mum to feel lonely or isolated
To make sure every parent has access to all of the local support and advice available - from other mothers and from professionals
To give mothers a voice, locally and nationally, on issues of importance to them
Join Netmums!
Netmums is a members only site. This is because Netmums relies on a sense of community and members sharing as well as taking information.
Netmums has over 345,000 registrations throughout the UK. The majority of our members have heard about us by word of mouth.
Membership is free and immediate and members' details and email addresses will never be passed on to anyone else. Click here to join us today!
Netmums is a family of local websites set up and run by mums (hence the name, but of course dads and anyone involved in caring for young children are welcome too!).
Each local website is edited and maintained by a local mum with support from our central team. The uniqueness of the Netmums concept stems from the belief that only other local mothers can truly access and provide the local information essential to life as a mum to young children in each specific area.
Each local Netmums website covers local information on places to go, things to do, education, childcare, and community, social and employment issues.
Each site is set up around a local community and is totally interactive with much of the information on the site coming from other local mums.
At the heart of the site is the Coffee House, which provides an invaluable place members can chat with other mums and get support and advice on anything and everything to do with being a parent, from little gripes to big issues. Our members enjoy an incredibly dynamic, friendly and welcoming forum that has proved to be a lifeline for many netmums. Read more about what you can find on your local site here.
We are also involved in various offline initiatives too. We published our first book, 'Feeding Kids' in May 2007 followed by our second publication, 'How to Be a Happy Mum: The Netmums Guide to Stress-free Family Life' in July 2007. In March 2008 'Toddling to Ten: Your common parenting problems solved' hit the shelves and immediately became an Amazon bestseller.
Each of these books aims to respond to the practical needs of real mothers who juggle increasingly busy lives, and offer support and guidance for those times when it's difficult to cope with the demands of family life.
We are passionate believers in mothers' and childrens' rights, so we support various charities through our website and weekly newsletters. We have been involved in many offline campaigns, on issues such as improving food labelling and raising awareness of postnatal depression. Click here to read more about the Netmums campaign trail.
Netmums is financially supported by our sponsors BT, Early Learning Centre and Nick Jr
Netmums aims to give a voice to families where it matters and to bring our collective opinions to decision makers...here are some of the issues we've been involved with so far.
Families Need Health Visitors
We believe that Health Visitors provide a crucial front-line support for mums and their families yet in many areas mums are finding this service is disappearing before their eyes. Our survey of 4600 mums and 200 Health Visitors provides vital evidence of this worrying trend and has been covered by the press.
Furthermore, Netmums has been asked to take part in a working party set up by the Department of Health to look into the problems we have reported. Read more...
Better Support For Postnatal Depression
Since 2004 we have carried out three surveys which have looked at different aspects of postnatal depression and anxiety. The results of one of these surveys were presented to Charles Kennedy, Tony Blair and Michael Howard on live TV.
We hope our findings and our commitment to covering this important aspect of motherhood on the website will raise public awareness of postnatal depression, so that mothers receive the necessary treatment and support from their families and health care professionals. Read more...
The Work & Families Bill: The Need For Choice
In response to the DTI's consultation document, 'Work & Families - Choice & Flexibility', we conducted a survey of 4000 mothers to offer parents a forum for voicing their concerns about the employment choices available to them and the reality of their work-life balance.
We found that many mothers felt they had very few, if any, choices open to them at all. The survey was passed to Meg Munn, Minister for Women and Equality, to inform the DTI's consultation. Read more...
Stop Pushing Junk Food To Our Children
We began campaigning for better quality food for children, as well as clearer labelling and more honest product marketing back in 2003. Since then we have carried out surveys and petitions which have been presented to the Food Standards Agency and MPs - since we began our campaign vital first steps have been taken by the FSA and we will continue to keep up the pressure! Read more...
Teenagers & Knives
During the knife amnesty in May and June 2006, Netmums members raised their concerns that knife carrying has become so prevalent amongst teenagers. As a result Netmums started a campaign to highlight the issue and to give a voice to parents who are concerned. Our survey findings were passed to Dr John Reid, Home Secretary at the time. Read more...
2008
AUGUST
Netmums Mums Meet-ups
August was the start of extensive coverage in local newspapers for the new Mums Meet-ups groups. Newspapers such as The Worcester News; The Westmorland Gazette and The York Press all featured forthcoming Meet-ups events.
Sunday Times - August 31st 2008
Netmums' First Day Mums campaign features in an article about how parents feel when their children start school. Siobhan is quoted and Netmums writer Lara Green is featured as her son Findlay starts school.
BBC News Online - August 28th 2008
Siobhan is quoted on the BBC's news website in an article about the cost of school uniform.
Dudley Observer etc - August 25th and 26th 2008
A survey of Netmums members about the quality and healthiness of leisure centre food was featured in a number of local newspapers, including the Dudley Observer, the Kidderminster Shuttle and the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. Netmums Food Editor Cathy Court, who was behind the survey, was quoted.
Thisismoney.co.uk - August 24th 2008
The award-winning financial website quotes Netmums director Siobhan in an article about schools insisting parents buy school uniform from specific outlets.
Marketing Week - August 21st 2008
Whole page article on Netmums and co-founder Siobhan Freegard in Marketing Week's Innovation section.
JULY
Edinburgh Evening News - July 28th and 30th 2008
A group of Netmums from Edinburgh hit the headlines when they started campaigning against a bus company which had banned mums from taking prams on board its buses.
Daily Mirror - July 20th 2008
Fame at last! Netmums makes it into the list of 101 websites that will change your life forever.
BBC Radio Manchester - July 18th 2008
Netmums manager Nicola Douglas, who oversees all the local sites, was interviewed on Radio Manchester about cost-free activities for children over the summer holidays.
Daily Mail - July 18th 2008
Sally's comments were featured in an article about predictions by scientists that within 30 years women will be able to give birth at the age of 100.
Looking Good, Feeling Great website - July 17th 2008.
Netmums and Food Editor Cathy Court featured in an article about eating healthily during pregnancy.
GMTV, ITN Radio - July 17th 2008
The Netmums Summer Solace guide was launched and achieved wide publicity, including interviews for Siobhan on GMTV and ITN Radio. The guide was subsequently mentioned in many other national, regional and local newspapers and on local radio stations as part of more general articles on how to cope with the summer holidays.
Sunday Mirror - July 13th 2008
The newspaper ran an article on a Netmums survey showing the link between postnatal depression and the lack of support from a GP or hospital following a birth. Sally was quoted in the article.
Business Minister Shriti Vadera - July 11th 2008
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Competitiveness used Netmums and Sally Russell as an example in a speech about the growth of the internet and communication via the web.
BBC News 24 - July 11th 2008
Netmums writer Lara Green was interviewed about the how old your child should be before you can leave them home alone.
The Times - July 10th 2008
Netmums made it into The Times's Tech and Web section as part of an article about social networking. Netmums director Siobhan Freegard was quoted.
GCap Media Radio News Agency - July 10th 2008
Netmums director Sally Russell was interviewed about a Healthcare Commission report on the bad state of maternity services in England by a news agency supplying many UK and local radio stations.
Daily Telegraph - July 7th 2008
Cathy interviewed about calls to ban "buy one get one free" offers - Cathy says many parents rely on them to be able to afford their food shopping
The Observer and London Radio - July 6th and 7th 2008
Netmums Food Editor Cathy Court is interviewed about calls to stop children leaving school during their lunch hour and spending their lunch money on junk food.
Daily Mirror - July 4th 2008
Netmums is the Mirror's "website of the day".
Daily Express - July 3rd 2008
Netmums is mentioned as a great resource for things to do during the summer holidays.
JUNE
Sunday Times - June 29th 2008.
Netmums PR person Ruth Appleton features in a Sunday Times article asking whether we praise our children excessively. The story also mentions a straw poll of Netmums members carried out specifically for this article.
ITV Wales News - June 28th 2008.
ITV's Wales regional news programme ran the BT/Netmums internet survey story with a mum as a case study.
Mix96, Aylesbury - June 25th 2008.
Another local radio interview for Siobhan about the BT/Netmums internet survey.
BBC London - June 24th 2008.
Siobhan is interviewed by BBC London about kids' beauty salons.
Local Newspapers - June 24th 2008.
The BT/Netmums internet survey featured in a number of local papers around the UK, including the Birmingham Post, the South Wales Argus and the Free Press series in south Wales. The Blackpool Gazette ran the story on June 27th.
Sky Radio, Local Radio, BT Website - June 23rd 2008.
Netmums director Siobhan Freegard is interviewed by Sky Radio and many local radio stations about the joint BT/Netmums survey on internet use, which shows that many parents are turning to the web rather than their family for parenting advice. The survey also appeared on BT's official website.
Local Radio Stations - June 23rd 2008.
Our director Sally Russell is interviewed by a radio news agency which supplies news to more than 50 stations around the UK, including Classic FM. Sally was giving the Netmums view on Government plans to offer financial incentives to parents from deprived communities to persuade them to take part in programmes to improve the health, well being and social development of their children.
BBC Radio Cymru - June 20th 2008.
Our story about the £50 weekly shopping list on our budgeting board make Welsh language radio, with one of our Welsh speaking members interviewed on the afternoon programme, Post Prynhawn.
Ed Mayo's Blog - June 18th 2008.
Ed Mayo, the chief executive of the National Consumer Council and a leading thinker, praises Netmums on his blog as a great support organisation. He reveals he is a registered member of Netmums, despite being a "Notmum", as he calls himself!
Food Standards Agency website - June 9th 2008.
Our Germwatch feature for Food Safety Week is praised on the FSA's official website.
The Times - June 7th 2008.
A Netmums survey about salt in foods is mentioned in an article about children's salt intake.
MAY
LBC Radio
Siobhan is interviewed by LBC Radio about the importance of teaching children good manners.
BBC Breakfast - May 25th 2008
Siobhan appears on BBC Breakfast discussing the new Government guidelines on drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
BBC News - May 13th 2008
Lara is interviewed by BBC Breakfast, BBC News, ITV Lunchtime News, Channel 5 News and BBC Three Counties Radio about a survey claiming that increased living costs are forcing more new mothers back to work.
Daily Record - May 13th 2008.
Netmums is mentioned in a feature examining the debate between working and stay-at-home mums.
Sunday Times - May 4th 2008.
Our Dad's Survey is mentioned in an article about a Government scheme to help separated fathers maintain a good relationship with their children.
Radio Five Live - May 3rd 2008
Siobhan is interviewed on Radio Five Live and LBC Radio about our Dad's survey. The survey - It's a Dad's Life - is also covered in the Daily Mail, daily Express and the Telegraph. They all looked at the 'Beckham effect' - how Dads are struggling to live up to the image of the perfect father.
BBC online and TES - May 2nd 2008
Our survey on teachers rewarding pupils with sweets is featured on the BBC News website. The survey also gets coverage in the Times educational supplement.
Read more about the survey here.
APRIL
The Telegraph 27th April 2008
Sally Russell comments on the Maternity Crisis in an article titled: Maternity units 'turning into conveyor belts'
The Times - 25th April 08
Our survey with the Bookseller on Mums' reading habits was featured in The Times , The Irish Independent , The Daily Mail and Raising Kids website Siobhan also joined a debate on the subject on Radio 5.
MARCH
BBC Breakfast News- 20th March 08
Sally Russell appears on BBC Breakfast News to talk about the Maternity crisis. You can read more about this here.
BBC Breakfast News - 6th March 08
Netmums writer, Lara Green, appears on BBC Breakfast News to talk about 'mum-nesia' and how it affects mums with babies.
BBC Breakfast News - 3rd March 08
Siobhan appeared alongside children's author Jacqueline Wilson discussing the question: 'are our kids growing up too fast?'. Read more here.
ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald feature: 'Mummy Stop Drinking' - 3rd March 08
The Netmums survey which examined mothers' drinking habits was cited in this programme, alongside comment from Siobhan. Read more here.
The Observer - 2nd March 08
An article 'Web lifeline for Mums is big business' features a quote from Siobhan and details of Netmums' publishing deal with Headline. Read more here.
FEBRUARY
The Telegraph - 28th February 08
The Telegraph reports on a survey carried out by Netmums (for Nivea Soft) on the phenomenon of the 'yummy mummy' which found that it put too much pressure on modern mothers. Read more here. The survey was also picked up by Thaindian News, icWales and AFP.
GMTV - 27th February 08
GMTV reports on the Netmums/Nivea Soft survey into how mothers feel about the 'yummy mummy' ideal. Read more here.
The Sun - 26th February 08
The Sun reports Netmums' findings into the true cost of doing an eco-friendly shop. The Netmums survey 'How Green are You' was cited, in which respondents said the higher costs of eco-friendly products made it difficult for them to make ethical choices when shopping. Read more here. You can also read the results of the survey here.
The Observer - 24th February 08
Siobhan is quoted in an article entitled 'Women: the hidden risks of drinking', and discusses the results of a 2007 Netmums survey into 4000 members' drinking habits. Read more here.
BBC Breakfast News - 22nd February 08
Siobhan appears on BBC Breakfast to discuss work/life balance.
BBC News 24 - 19th February 08
Sally appears on News 24 to discuss finance guidance offered to new mothers by the UK finance watchdog, the Financial Services Authority. Read more here.
Liverpool Daily Post - 6th February 08
Netmums is mentioned in a feature about post natal illness, 'Every hug makes me see I'm a great mother'. Read more here.
JANUARY
The Guardian - 28th January 08
The Guardian reports that consumers are unaware of hidden salt in sweet foods, and discusses how CASH (the Consensus Action on Salt and Health) worked witih Netmums in 2007 on a survey of almost 2375 parents to find out about parents' understanding of salt and health. Read more here. The survey was also picked up by several other websites and publications, including inthenews.co.uk, foodproductiondaily.com, The Scotsman, The Glasgow Daily Record and the BBC News website.
Radio Northamptonshire - 28th January 08
Cathy Court, Netmums director and food editor, is interviewed on Radio Northamptonshire about the CASH report into high levels of salt in foods.
Food Standards Agency website - 14th January 08
Cathy appears in an online film about Traffic Light Labelling. Read more here.
Five News - 2nd January 08
Cathy and her children appear on Five News to discuss banning junk food TV advertising aimed at children.
Sky News - 1st January 08
Sally talks about the campaign to ban junk food TV advertising aimed at children.
BBC Breakfast News - 1st January 08
Cathy and her children appear on the BBC to discuss banning junk food TV advertising aimed at children.
2002-2005 archive - click here
2006 archive - click here
2007 archive - click here
Always more important than what we say about ourselves! Not only have we received some lovely recommendations from our patrons and MPs, but we have been overjoyed to receive many kind messages from the people that matter to us most of all - you!
Read some of our members comments here.
Dame Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop
Netmums are extremely proud of the fact that Dame Anita Roddick was patron of Netmums from 2004 until 2007. Anita was an incredible woman who supported so many great causes, but in our small corner of her world, she was our Patron. When we were just starting out as a support website for mums she encouraged us, believed in us, agreed to be our Patron and told us to keep campaigning and to make a difference to the world.
She believed in the power of women to change things. This is the philosophy that will stay at the heart of Netmums. We are proud to have had this relationship with Anita Roddick and are very grateful for the time, encouragement and advice she gave us. This is what she said about Netmums:
"When I started The Body Shop, I was a young mother of two small girls... I can hardly imagine how lucky I'd have been to have had a resource like netmums. I recently became a patron of netmums.com, along with my friend John Bird, founder of The Big Issue. I'm proud to lend my moral support to these extraordinary women."
Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Energy, e-Commerce and Postal Services
"The best ideas are those which when you hear them seem simple, and even obvious, but when they're implemented make enormous difference to peoples' lives. Netmums.com is one of those.The most successful applications of technology - of the Internet - in making a difference to the quality of life for citizens are often based on supplying specific local, community need. This is what Netmums does so effectively.
By working with local parents, local authorities, volunteers and input from the private sector, Netmums has been very effective in reaching parents with young children.
I am very pleased with the progress Netmums.com has made and I hope they continue to go from strength to strength - for they have my full support."
Extract from E-Government bulletin
"... there are success stories which show that the internet and its power to help groups of people connect with each other can be a liberating force, and one which can fight exclusion. One example is the online forum for mothers, Netmums (http://www.netmums.com), set up by a group of women in Harrow in 2000 to provide local information and discussion groups about local childcare issues.
The service has blazed an impressive trail, attracting sponsorship from nappy giant Huggies and BT and spreading across the country with local groups of mothers starting up their own linked sites for their areas. The group has grown to such a size that it now holds meetings with industry bodies and has held meetings with MPs about issues such as labelling of foods. It has attracted the patronage of famous names like businesswoman Anita Roddick and John Bird, founder of the magazine for homeless people Big Issue. "
A Netmums Member
"Can I take the opportunity to say that I think this is a great web site. Not only does it give great information and services but it makes me feel like a human being again. Like I have a voice and opinions that are worth something. As a new Mum I was beginning to feel that I had lost that and almost become invisible. Thank you for helping me keep my sanity."
What You can find on your local Netmums site
Netmums is a local network for mums aimed at helping mums cope with and enjoy being a mum. Whether you're looking for local parent and toddler groups, pre-school or childcare; are desperate for somewhere new to take the kids; or would like to make some new friends in your area, Netmums has the answer.
There is information on local places to visit and play centres, family-friendly restaurants, local clubs and classes, ballet, football, tennis.... And the 'what's on' section of local events will keep you up to date with all the latest that's going on in your area.
If you are a stay at home Dad, a single Dad, or you want someone to "play with" on Saturday mornings, don't be put off by the name, Dad's are welcome too! ... as are childminders, nannies, grandparents...
If you are looking for a job, there are tips on how to get back to work, and all the local contacts you'll need. If you are looking for a local plumber or builder, you can find recommendations from other mums, as well tips for those all-important children's birthday parties!
If you are moving house,or looking at schools, there is a wealth of information to help including links to inspection reports, and comments from local mums on what's good about different pre-schools and playgroups.
And when you need help? Sections on healthcare, doctors and dentists are here, alongside suggestions and sources of support to help you deal with postnatal depression, or parenting difficulties. If your child has special needs, or you are a lone parent looking for ideas, there are local groups and contacts that will help.
To contact Netmums, click here.
BBC Online and TES - May 2nd 08.
Our survey on teachers rewarding pupils with sweets is featured on the BBC News website. The survey also gets coverage in the Times Educational Supplement.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7379984.stm
http://www.tes.co.uk/search/story/?story_id=2615950
Read more about the survey here: www.netmums.com/go/results
Read more about the survey here: www.netmums.com/go/dadslife
BBC Online and TES - May 2nd 08.
Our survey on teachers rewarding pupils with sweets is featured on the BBC News website. The survey also gets coverage in the Times Educational Supplement.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7379984.stm
http://www.tes.co.uk/search/story/?story_id=2615950
Read more about the survey here: www.netmums.com/go/results
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