London Cable Car marks Maternal Mental Health Week with free event and specially wrapped cabin

Transport for London (TfL) is hosting a free daytime on Wednesday 6 May between 10:00 and 15:00 at the London Cable Car Experience (next to the Greenwich Peninsula terminal) to mark Maternal Mental Health Week.

Open to all Londoners, the event will provide a safe and welcoming space to learn about maternal mental health and the support available. Delivered in collaboration with Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, MumsAid, OCEAN East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Footprints Baby Loss and Sister Circle, the event aims to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about maternal mental health, share information on support networks available, and help attendees feel confident seeking help for themselves or others.

Maternal Mental Health Week runs from 4 - 10 May to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health struggles before, during, and after pregnancy. Around one in five mothers experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy or within the first year of their child’s life and up to half go undetected or unsupported.

Those who book a free place, via Eventbrite, will also be able to enjoy a free Cable Car ride. There will be an opportunity to collect a Baby on Board badge, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, or a new Babies on Board badge, specifically designed by TfL for women expecting twins, triplets, or other multiple births. The badges aim to represent the range of pregnant women carrying multiple births who travel on London's transport network, and to remind all customers of the importance of looking up when they travel and to offer their seat to those who may need it more.

Fiona Jones, TfL’s Head of London Cable Car, said: "We’re thrilled to partner with specialist charities and organisations to help improve awareness on how people can access maternal mental health support. By hosting this free event and unveiling our specially wrapped Cable Car cabin, we hope to shine a light on this important issue and show our support for Maternal Mental Health Week."

Eve Canavan BEM, Co-Founder and Coordinator of Maternal Mental Health Week, said: "We are incredibly proud to mark the tenth anniversary of Maternal Mental Health Week. This year’s theme, ‘A Decade of Voices,’ is a tribute to the power of lived experience; it honours the courage of every woman who has shared her journey through perinatal mental health challenges.

"We are also immensely grateful for the support of Transport for London in helping us amplify these vital stories as we celebrate ten years of progress, empathy, and advocacy."

Dr Miriam Donaghy, CEO and Founder of MumsAid, said: "Every year, Maternal Mental Health Week allows us to shine a light on this vital issue. It has been wonderful to see the coverage around the campaign increase every year, but there is still more work to be done to ensure that all mothers feel properly supported as they make the life-changing transition into motherhood. We are proud to be at the forefront of this work."

Justine Cawley, Lead for Perinatal Mental Health for OCEAN ELFT, said: "Maternal mental health affects not just mothers, but families, communities and society as a whole. Maternal Mental Health Week is a vital opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma and start meaningful conversations.

"We’re proud to work alongside TfL to use public spaces to make these conversations visible and accessible, helping ensure women across London feel seen, heard, supported and reminded that they are not alone."

Sharon Darke, Co-Founder and CEO of Footprints Baby Loss, said: "We are so pleased to be attending this event during Maternal Mental Health Week. We know how important it is to reduce the stigma around talking about baby loss particularly twin and triplet loss and to raise awareness. It’s equally vital that families are signposted towards the right support and organisations when they need it most."

Karen Wint, Chief Executive at Sister Circle, said: "Today, too many women and their partners continue to manage experiences of loss and trauma in silence and isolation. That is why we are partnering with TfL, who is committed to highlighting the support available from Sister Circle and other specialist organisations during this difficult journey. More must be done to recognise and support parents’ mental health."