Several months ago I agreed to become a trustee for a new national charity which launches on Saturday night in Huddersfield. I agreed because for many years I have been passionate about making a difference to women who suffer from, or have suffered from postnatal depression, and their families.

The Joe (Joanne) Bingley Memorial Foundation has been set up following the death last year of a new mother who tragically took her own life. Her husband Chris wants to see her legacy in creating systems where maternal mental health is considered as important as physical needs so that their daughter Emily Jane will be properly cared for when she becomes a mother.

These are the aims of the charity:-
• Raise awareness and de-stigmatise Postnatal Depression, by stimulating open discussion about the illness and its treatment.
• Provide access to information and support to mums, dads, partners, families, and friends affected by Postnatal Depression
• Support research to identify the causes of the increasing number of deaths due to Postnatal Depression, examine the key risks and issues that affect sufferers from Postnatal Depression, and what can be done to help them
• Ensure Medical Services follow appropriate standards and guidelines, and patients know what should be available to them
Joe Bingley would have been 40 years old this month so we decided to celebrate her life by launching her Foundation on Saturday night. It is to be a fun night at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield with a Gangsters and Molls theme! This will be a great way to launch the charity and celebrate Joe’s life as she was someone who loved parties!

I am pleased to attach a copy of the first newsletter for the Foundation.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/47600918/JBMF-Newsletter

If you would like to receive future newsletters please let me know via ann@onthethreshold.co.uk and please tell people about us. The website for the charity is www.joebingleymemorialfoundation.org.uk