About Acacia
Background
Emma has three lovely children but after the birth of each she suffered Postnatal depression. She experienced feelings of utter desperation, fatigue, lethargy and an inability to cope.
Many of Emma's friends had suffered in the same way but felt too guilty to tell anyone. Talking to social workers, community health workers and friends it became apparent that there was a complete lack of local support services for women experiencing this debilitating illness.
And so in 2004 the ACACIA vision was born by Emma and a group of friends.
LISTEN TO THE FOUNDERS OF ACACIA INTERVIEWED ON RADIO WM.
Hear them talk about how their own struggle with Postnatal depression inspired them to set up Acacia Family Support.
(Mornings With Joanne Malin, weekdays from 9.30am on BBC WM 95.6FM)
The Acacia Mission:
The Mission of Acacia is to offer a local support service to mothers and their families affected by the symptoms of Pre and Postnatal depression; a service that offers hope, reassurance and encouragement through service by volunteers who have experienced the healing power of medication, personal support and faith; a service that promotes a holistic approach to family well being.
Today, Acacia is a small but dynamically growing registered charity working in the North Birmingham area with active plans to extend services to East Birmingham, and later to additional areas. Acacia is a volunteer led organisation, our weekly one-to-one support service is staffed by volunteers who have suffered themselves or have a professional or voluntary trained understanding of anxiety and depression
Our key aims are to:
- raise awareness of the effects of Pre and Postnatal depression upon women and families.
- provide a responsible and respected support service to which potential users are recommended by health professionals and community members.
- support and reassure service users, mothers and family members, affected by symptoms associated with Pre and Postnatal depression, helping them to understand their feelings, giving them support to cope with their situation, and to encourage and stimulate them through the healing process.
Please click here to see a full list of our aims and objectives
The Acacia service is open to all without discrimination and prejudice. Acacia is a Christian Faith based organisation with a desire to promote understanding and co-operation between people of different faiths and cultures within the local community. Acacia values and respects the contribution of those of other faiths, or no particular faith, in furthering the object, mission and ethos of Acacia.
Phone: 07944 900499 (Between 9am and 6pm)
Acacia Drop-in Support Service Location
Acacia's drop-in support service is on Thursday morning 10am-12pm at St John's Church Walmley, which is next to the Doctors surgery & Health centre on Walmley Road
4 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 1QN
Google Map and Directions