The MAMA Sanctuary & Mollie & Oli

A sanctuary to help mums and mums-to-be have some 'me time' has opened its doors.

We revealed earlier this year how the Mama Sanctuary was coming to Stockport , offering everything from baby scans, pre & postnatal support, baby showers to beauty therapy.

Set up as a 'pregnancy and motherhood hub' it aims to make life easier for mums and mums-to-be, by giving them access to free childcare while accessing beauty treatments and other services like antenatal classes, sling libraries and breastfeeding support.

It's the brainchild of mum-of-six Rachael Kirkwood (founder of Mollie & Oli), who knows only too well how difficult and isolating it can be for new mums.

With four of her children under three years old, and suffering a bout of postnatal depression when her twins were born, she understands how much mums struggle to take time out for themselves.

The Mama Sanctuary, between the new Redrock development and Stockport’s up-and-coming Old Town area, opened in November 2019. Rachael says there's been  nothing but positive feedback.

"The feedback so far has been brilliant. Mums can finally relax knowing their little ones are close by - they can enjoy a hot brew, get pampered and look after their wellbeing without mum guilt.

"So many people have called in to say how amazing it looks and how Stockport needed something like this. As a twin mum myself, I know how difficult it can be to get out of the house.

"Whilst we still need to pay our childcare staff we don't want to penalise mums with multiple babies. One creche space is included in the duration of all salon treatments - and twins and triplets count as one."

The hair and beauty salon has sociable booths where you can get your nails done whilst chatting to a friend or other mums, three treatment rooms offering services including pregnancy massage, reiki, waxing, facials, lashes, spray tans as well as a wheelchair-friendly nail bar and treatment room.

Professional childcare staff are on hand to take care of little ones in the soundproofed creche. There isn't an age limit - everyone is welcome, but booking is advised as we only allow 3 little ones per staff member.

There are also monitors for mums to check on their babies, or for those wanting to keep them close by, there's space for bouncers next to treatment chairs and staff on hand to help soothe unsettled babies.

From Monday, December 9, the venue is hosting free mum-to-be and new mum events. Next week's will feature an independent midwife offering breastfeeding support and advice.

There is also a shop inside the Mama Sanctuary called Mollie & Oli - Housing over 25 local mummy businesses who make unique baby and children's clothing and accessories. Mollie & Oli is named after 2 of Rachael's children.

The Mama Sanctuary, Stockport

1 PRINCES STREET,

STOCKPORT,

SK1 1SL

www.mama-sanctuary.com

0161 300 6835