Essex mums were terrified taking their children outside during summer riots

-Credit: (Image: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT))
-Credit: (Image: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT))


An Essex mum says she and many others were left terrified and made to feel like they were targets during nights of violence and rioting earlier this year. Nicole Lawal, a mum-of-four, from Essex, said parents live in a state of "fight, flight or freeze".

The midwife, who set up the local group B3 in response to the physical and mental health inequalities faced by Black women and their babies, said the disorder left people feeling scared about leaving their homes. The group founder, who is a mum to four children, runs the B3 group to support mothers and families who have Black, African and Caribbean heritage.

Essex escaped scenes of violence, but nationally there were more than 1,500 arrests between July 29 and September 17 linked with the disorder which spiralled after the tragic killing of three young girls in Southport. There has also been almost 1,000 people to have been issued charges in connection with the disorder.

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The occurrence of such disorder during the summer is said to have highlighted the racism that non-white communities face and Nicole said it heightened the anxiety that mums at B3 felt. She said: "We were just too scared to take our babies out. As Black mothers, we didn’t want to be a target.

"That fear still and always will exist as the people who took part in the disorder or have racist views are walking past us every day or rubbing shoulders with us at work or on the train. We cannot identify them, so we are always in a state of fight, flight or freeze."

While those violent events have passed, the mothers continue to feel the impact and ongoing support is just as important now as it was then. Nicole said: “Having a support system has allowed mothers to step out of their comfort zones and build the confidence they need to navigate both motherhood and life’s challenges.”

Research shows that Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women. They are also more likely to experience perinatal mental health issues but less likely to receive support.

The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) works alongside groups such as B3 to make sure everyone has access to the care that they need. Nicole said: "B3 is tackling the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community by offering free, accessible counselling services.

"We ensure that mothers feel a part of the community they live in without feeling judged or ostracised. We offer vital support to mothers dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges."

Nicole said it took a while before anyone took up the offer of counselling from B3 because there was a stigma around asking for help. However mums have since said counselling, as well as speaking with other mums in the group, has helped them realise they are not alone.

Nicole said: "By making mental health care readily available and destigmatising it within the community, we are helping mothers prioritise their well-being. For many mothers, particularly new ones, motherhood can bring about anxiety and feelings of isolation.

"We help alleviate this by providing consistent, accessible support both in person and online, and organising group walks and lunches to encourage mothers to get out of the house and engage with others in a relaxed, judgment-free environment."