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Your invitation - what it's all about, what to expect

Hello loves,

I have been reflecting this week on how much things have settled down for us over the last few weeks. With the news of the funding, I feel like there’s been an inner shift in me, in my energy, in how much I feel like I have to show up. I guess, before this, all of my energy was going into setting up The Women’s Health Hub and every ounce of energy, inspiration and focus needed to be used to try and make the money side of things add up. Now that is being held for the next 12 months by the National Lottery, I feel like I have flexibility again - room to play - and I’m really loving it.

We moved our mailing list over to Substack back in May, when we were in that place of needing to make as much money as possible. How it all works financially is a whole other post - and we still do need and are grateful for your financial support in the long run - but I feel as though I’ve struggled to know what to offer up to paid subscribers. How to make it worth your while.

We tried putting content behind a paywall and honestly, that was a bit ick. Not just because we’re still finding our feet and our voice here but also because how do you decide what is paid for and what is free content? There are many people on Substack who seem to make this decision effortlessly and I’m not sure if this is my autistic brain not knowing where the lines are, but it has never felt easy. So, for the last little while, everything we have put out there is free. But we still need to encourage you to pay us money¹.

A sparkly new offering just for you

So here is the vision, the piece of the puzzle that has dropped into place with my new shift in energy. I’d love for our paid subscribers to feel like a solid part of our community. Not just receiving extra bits of writing or more personal information, but having you benefit from your £5 a month by having access to a beautiful circle of women+ to connect with, chat to, witness and support. This feels important for a few reasons. Many of you live no where near the North East and so cannot come along to the hub, yet, I’d still love to be able to connect with you personally. There are also so many reasons why meeting in person may be inaccessible - as much as we try and make the hub a safe space for everyone. Having and growing a support circle online feels like the best way to support all of you who cannot or don’t want to come along to in-person things. I also think it might be kind of magical.

I thought this circle would just be me sharing The Postpartum Matters Village prompts once a month and connecting in threads but, from chats with

Sarah Robertson

as part of our

Sparkle on Substack

‘critical friend’ work, I have realised that I would love it to be more. So, at the end of each month, along with your PPM village prompts, I will be hosting a Community Connection Circle.

Our first one will be on Friday October 27th, from 6:30pm.

You should be muted on entry so feel free to arrive in whatever chaos life is throwing at you on that particular Friday evening and all the rest should follow with it.

This first one will be open to all subscribers - to let you try it all out and see how it feels - before switching to paid subs only from November². You can manage your subscription by following the below link.

if we were in person, I'd spend the day before baking you bread and gathering your favourite things

What on earth to expect

I ran a load of these online circles at the beginning of last year, and they were always super magical.

We will start with a settling in/ grounding exercise and introductions for those who want to chat. Then I will share a reading, a poem or something which has sparked inspiration in me, before diving into some journaling. This can look however you wish - with full paints and gluing and sticking or simply some quiet time with your favorite pen and paper. And I’ll be right there to support you if you need help getting started!

After that, we will open the space for sharing - either things that have came up from the journal prompts or other things that are bubbling away that you need someone to witness. And I’ll end with a guided relaxation to set you up for a cosy, comfy nights sleep.

There is no pressure or expectation to participate in all/ any of it. You can show up for bits, or show up for all but keep your mic and video off - there is no way to do this wrong and all of it is welcome.

You are so so welcome, just as you are

Regardless of your age.

Regardless of whether you have children.

Regardless of whether your children are still at home.

Regardless of any kind of label we’ve taken on which makes us feel a space might not be for us.

This circle is your circle, just for you. To make of it what you need.

I’ll share a reminder closer to the date but you can access the Zoom room by clicking the below link. The meeting ID is 826 9383 8844

If you have any concerns or struggles around using Zoom, please do let me know and I can help see if there is a way round it. You are always welcome to email me at zoe@postpartummatters.co.uk for anything at all.

I can’t wait to hold space for you on October 27th!

Sending you love for the month ahead,

Zoe xx

let's gather round an online table and witness each others stories

1. As a social enterprise, having solid income streams shows funders that you are a sustainable business and a safe bet for them to give money to. We would absolutely love to grow our paid subscriptions here and have Substack as one of our main income streams. Your paid subscription goes straight into the business bank account and is used directly to fund our charitable aims - helping us to pay the rent on The Women’s Health Hub and to run our main services for free.

2. If finances are a barrier to becoming a paid subscriber just drop me a message and I can give you a comp subscription, no questions asked.