In Conversation With Vicky O’Rourke from Connect Baby

Foundations is a family-focused clinical psychology practice where we can support you through every stage of your parenting journey.

We know that mental health vulnerabilities increase during the perinatal period, for both mums and non-birthing parents, and we are committed to providing evidence-based clinical care with genuine care, inclusivity and warmth.

Our clinical psychologists are available in-person in Brisbane and via telehealth nationwide. We look forward to supporting you.

Motherhood Village is a registered charity (DGR1 Health Promotion Charity) based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, dedicated to ensuring that no mother suffers in silence. Founded by local mother and lived-experience advocate Tracey Tyley, the charity provides free, in-person, peer-led mental health and wellbeing support for parents during pregnancy, postpartum, and the early parenthood years.

Recognised as a trusted community provider of perinatal mental health peer support, Motherhood Village fills the critical gap between clinical services and community connection. Its model is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based, and person-centred principles, enabling parents to feel heard, validated, connected, supported, and empowered. Each week, trained Peer Leaders supported by Resident Grandma volunteers, facilitate small group sessions where parents can share their experiences safely, build supportive friendships, and be linked to further professional or community supports when needed.

The charity currently delivers multiple targeted support programs including Village Art for perinatal mental health, support for mothers recovering from acute perinatal mental health experiences, support for bereaved parents, perinatal mental health support, and specialised peer groups for neurodiverse mothers, multicultural and expat families, and health professionals. These initiatives operate in collaboration with local health networks and partners such as Gold Coast Health, GCPHN, Red Nose, Baby Give Back, and The Fathering Project.

Since its inception, Motherhood Village has supported hundreds of families, positively impacting over 600 individuals annually, and has been recognised at the Queensland Mental Health Awards for excellence in early years and lived experience leadership.

Through compassionate, community-based support, Motherhood Village reduces isolation, improves mental wellbeing, and strengthens family resilience during one of life’s most vulnerable stages. Its vision is simple yet profound: to create a space where every parent finds their village, where mental health support is accessible, non-judgmental, and delivered with the empathy that lived experience provides.

Birth & Beyond Education provides comprehensive birth, parenting, and feeding education, along with postnatal support, birth debriefs and home visits. Founded by highly experienced midwives, Lucy & Kristin, their mission is to empower expectant parents with honest, realistic, and evidence-based education. As practising hospital midwives, they understand firsthand the unpredictability of birth and the journey to parenthood, so they have designed their workshops to equip parents with the confidence, knowledge, and skills needed to make informed decisions and navigate birth, feeding, and early parenthood with clarity and assurance.

Classes are taught in small, intimate groups, creating a comfortable space for learning and discussion. Virtual education is available for those unable to attend in person to ensure all parents have access to quality support.

In-person workshops are held in Manly, offering a welcoming environment where parents can gain the knowledge and skills needed for a positive birth and parenting experience.