Somerset woman starts podcast for 'unheard' mums to share their stories

A SOMERSET woman has started a podcast for "unheard" local mothers to share their stories on all things pregnancy, labour and parenthood.

Annie Tombs, 28, from Chard, is set to launch the Mindful Mums Podcast within the next month. She became a stay-at-home mum to her three-year-old son Eli in 2022, and before that was working in SEND education.

Feeling the need for connection with other mums Annie started a Facebook group, Mums and Munchkins, at the end of last year.

The group now has over 500 members and offers tips, tricks, advice, children’s items for sale, baby and toddler groups in the area, and quick and easy meal recipes.

The Mindful Mums Podcast will launch next month. (Image: Annie Tombs)

After BBC Radio Somerset approached her to find mums willing to share their maternity stories in the area, Annie put out the call to her group and quickly realised how many mums felt "unheard".

Annie said: "I went onto BBC Radio Somerset a few weeks back to share my maternity story and was asked to see if I could get any mums to come forward.

"Around 35 mums messaged me wanting to share their experience but because so many reached out the radio couldn’t hear all of them. Just speaking to the mums I realised how important it is to have a platform to share your experience.

"So I thought I’d set up a local podcast, for the unheard mums. For them to come on and talk about pregnancy, labour, parenthood, baby loss and grief."

The idea has been a big hit with dozens of mums signing up to share their stories.

Annie added: "I’ve got so many mums lined up to come on when i’m up and running.

"I’m also hoping to reach out to some bigger names to see if they can come on and teach me a thing or too, or share any advice and tips for everyone else.

"For me, there’s plenty of podcasts out there like this but they are all full of celebrities, not normal people from down the road or in your own area."

Annie is "passionate" about "giving all mums the chance to share their stories on the podcast".

The soon-to-be podcast host encourages all mums who are interested in sharing their experience to reach out at mindfulmumspodcast@gmail.com or through the Mindful Mums Podcast Facebook page.

To begin with, the podcast will be shared on Facebook and TikTok.