motherhood, maternity leave & the. magic of finding your people
MOTHERHOOD
WRITTEN BY BELLA EDWARDS
MARCH 23, 2025
To put it simply, Twickenmums was born out of my desire to connect with other local mums. I was on my second maternity leave and often felt lonely on my walks. I’d spot four or five other mums and want to approach them, to ask if they’d like to walk together or hang out sometime— but something always stopped me. Was it fear of rejection? Fear of coming across as too pushy or too much? Maybe they preferred walking alone, enjoying their ‘me’ time. Perhaps they had just managed to get their baby to sleep, and I didn’t want to disturb their moment of peace.
In this article:
01 The Spark of an Idea: How One Small Step Created a Thriving Mum Community
02 The Hidden Cost of Maternity Leave (And What No One Tells You)
03 How to Find Your People (And Build a Community From Scratch)
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It was in that moment that I thought of creating Twickenmums. I raced home, my mind buzzing with a million ideas – typical Gemini energy. I started a new Instagram page, made a few posts, and here we are: a month and a half later, over 400 followers strong, with ten successful walks completed. Together, we’ve created a community of mothers who all shared the same desire I had—to make friends.
I think the rapid, organic growth speaks volumes. Clearly, there’s a gap in free opportunities for mothers to connect—something more of us should embrace.
I know putting yourself out there can be daunting, but growth never comes from staying in your comfort zone. It got me thinking—if more of us on maternity leave had the tools and confidence to build a community, we could all have that supportive group of friends—without the price tag so many organisations attach to it!
Let’s face it, maternity leave can be expensive. And unfortunately, statutory maternity pay isn’t exactly the infinite pot at the end of the rainbow. Baby classes cost money, coffee outings cost money, that mum brunch you want to attend costs money—not to mention petrol to get from A to B. The list goes on. I knew firsthand how hard it was to be frugal at a time when all you want is to get out and feel some sense of ‘normal’ again. That’s why it was important to me to create something free.
Ask yourself - why not me? Why can’t I be the one to create this community? What’s holding me back? You have the power to shape your own reality.
I encourage you to start small—say hello to the mum you pass on your daily walk, invite her to join you. You never know what she’s going through; she might need a listening ear, a moment to vent, or simply the comfort of knowing she’s not alone. And who knows? By having the confidence to take that first step, you might just meet your best mama friend.
By creating your own community, you have the power to help so many who may be struggling. Use the walks to help encourage discussions. Mums can come to one walk or as many as they like. Vent as much as they need, or simply be there to listen. There’s no fear of judgment, just space to clear your mind, knowing that we’re all in this together. There is power in solidarity and comfort in familiarity. Whether you have a newborn or a toddler, twins, quads, or even a dog—everyone is welcome. Because there is no price on friendship, kindness, and community.
During my recent pregnancy, I struggled with chronic Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP), which severely limited the exercise I could do. Walking became my lifeline. When my PGP got so severe that even short walks became a challenge, I made a promise to myself: once I gave birth and regained my strength, I would never take my health or body for granted again. I wanted to walk every day.
That promise has now allowed me to connect with so many incredible mothers from surrounding areas and I promise you could do the same just by making that first step. Walking is more than just gentle exercise—it’s a way to clear the mind. I once came across a quote that said, "Nobody ever regrets going out for a walk," and I’ve never read truer words.
I leave every walk feeling more inspired, in awe of the incredible stories I hear. My hope is that the women who come are building friendships that will last a lifetime.
A heartfelt thank you to every mum who has attended so far—I applaud you. Remember, you are the force, you are the only one able to make your own reality. Be the change you wish to see and have confidence in your power to make a difference. If you feel like your community is lacking, then do something about it! Motherhood changes us to our core. Some days, it feels like we’re fighting an invisible force. But if we are anything, we are resilient. Like a phoenix, we rise, stepping into the highest versions of ourselves.
Accept her. Nurture her. Embrace her.
“Nobody ever regrets going out for a walk”
about the author
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Bella Edwards is the creator and founder of Twickenmums, a community-driven initiative designed to bring local mothers together for walks in beautiful parks, fostering genuine friendships along the way.
Now on her second maternity leave, Bella experienced firsthand the loneliness that can come with early motherhood and longed for a space where like-minded mums could connect, share, and support one another. That’s when Twickenmums was born—a welcoming, free-to-join community that encourages mums to step outside, chat, and find solidarity in the shared journey of motherhood.
She hosts two weekly walks in different locations, creates insightful and relatable content through videos and posts, and is soon launching a podcast dedicated to sharing birth stories—both positive and challenging—to highlight the diverse realities of childbirth.
If you’d like to join Twickenmums, follow along on Instagram and come along for a walk. Bella and the community would love to meet you and your little one!
bella
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