Village Visionary Event - Nurturing the future

In November I stepped out of my comfort zone and spoke along side an incredible group of women at the Blossom and Berry event hosted by Gayle Berry in London

Here is a transcript of my speech

Hello everyone. I’m really nervous standing here today. If you had told me a year ago that I’d be on this stage speaking in front of all of you, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here I am, and I want to start by saying: I am enough, and so are you.

The Journey of Motherhood

Today, I want to talk about something we all need to hear: No one should feel alone, and you are good enough. To demonstrate this, I want to share two very different experiences from my journey as a mother.

The first was the birth of my first son, who came into the world 14 weeks early at just 26 weeks gestation. After an initial moment of joy holding him, I had to wait eight long days to hold him again. When I finally got to, he was connected to a breathing tube, surrounded by a tangle of wires, weighing a little over a kilogram. I was petrified.

In his first month of life, I was able to hold him only four times. It was a strange and scary time, but through it all, I was never truly alone. My partner was there, providing constant help and support, and together we faced the fear, uncertainty, and small victories. There were also nurses, doctors, and other parents who were there to talk to, share advice, laugh with, cry with, and celebrate those tiny triumphs together.

After over 100 days in the hospital, he was finally discharged. But that was just the beginning. He was still so small, still needed oxygen, a feeding tube, and a variety of medications. Yet, he was mine, and I was his. And with my partner by my side, we were a team, ready to face whatever came next.

The Second Birth Experience

Fast forward three years, and we welcomed our second son. This pregnancy, however, was filled with fear that he would arrive early, just like my first. I had frequent hospital visits and extra scans, constantly worrying about the possibility of another premature birth. The anxiety made it hard to fully enjoy the pregnancy, as I was always waiting for something to go wrong.

But this time, I had a normal pregnancy and a normal delivery. He arrived just an hour before his due date, and we spent a mere eight hours in the hospital before going home. I thought this would be so much easier, having a healthy baby and a smooth experience. But I found it difficult to adjust to motherhood this time. I convinced myself that the key to connecting with him was breastfeeding, something I never got to do with my first son. In hindsight, that belief seems a bit misplaced, especially since my bond with my first son is so beautiful. But I was so hard on myself, trying to fit this mold of the “perfect mum.”

One night, my mother-in-law said something that changed everything: “You are enough. You are all he needs.” Those words sparked a realisation in me that things needed to change. I began to seek help from the perinatal mental health team, who supported me during a tough time.

In the months that followed, I attended a baby group where I found an amazing community of mothers. Almost three years later, we still speak daily—celebrating those little wins, seeking advice, and being there for each other.

Transition to My Business

This leads me to why I am here today. I wanted to find a way to give back to the world the support I have received from both of these experiences of motherhood. I wanted other mothers to discover that same invaluable community.

This desire led me to train as a baby massage instructor and to find Blossom and Berry, along with the Village Visionary Program.

Since I joined in April, I’ve discovered a courage and confidence in myself that I never knew I had. I founded my business, where I aim to help parents bond and connect with their babies in a way that feels natural to them.

One of the best things about running my own business is the flexibility it gives me to spend more time with my family. I get to be present for my children while still pursuing my passion of helping other parents bond with their babies. It’s a balance that I’m so grateful for, and one that allows me to make a meaningful impact on others while nurturing my own family.

What I love most is seeing the beautiful connection between parents and their babies. It is amazing to watch their little faces gazing up at their parents with complete trust and adoration.

Being able to give mothers, who are often in a very vulnerable state, a safe space where they have the time and permission to just be is truly special.

It’s even more heartwarming when a mum comes in feeling a bit deflated, and the other parents rally around her.

My goal is to create a supportive and safe community where parents feel empowered, and can seek advice, encouragement and understanding from everyone within it. I want to encourage instinctive parenting and to spread the message that you are enough.

Conclusion

So, if I can leave you with one thought today, it’s this: You are exactly the person you need to be. On those tough days, when doubt creeps in and you feel like you’re not doing enough, please, be kind to yourself. Remember that you are enough.

 Thank you

Did any of this resonate with you? I would love for you to share your thoughts in the comments