About Us

Motherhood Village Ltd is a Gold Coast charity passionate about supporting local mothers, parents and families. We provide free perinatal mental health support via group peer support sessions to mothers and parents who have prior or existing perinatal mental ill health, to mothers and parents who are finding the postpartum period difficult or challenging, and to help those that may be feeling isolated or alone in their struggles.

These sessions are delivered in a safe, non-judgemental space and they enable parents to share their story, feel validated and understood, without comparison or judgement. This helps build a sense of belonging, breaking down some of the social stigmas and barriers associated with perinatal mental ill health.

All group sessions are facilitated by a COPE and PANDA accredited peer support worker who has lived experience with perinatal mental health challenges. Our sessions complement clinical care, enabling a holistic approach to recovery and wellbeing.

We aim to work together with the existing Gold Coast perinatal clinical care facilities such as the Lavender Unit GCUH, Perinatal Psychologists, General Practitioner’s and Women’s Health Clinicians, ensuring parents feel supported in the perinatal and postpartum periods, and into the early parenthood years, following the first 2000 days strategy for wellbeing.

We provide educational resources for families seeking support during the perinatal period, and enhancing community knowledge on the signs and symptoms of perinatal mental ill health.

Mission & Vision

Our Vision

To provide accessible perinatal mental health peer support on the Gold Coast, with a focus on a peer-led, lived experience model of support, helping improve the mental health and wellbeing of parents and their families.

Our Mission

1

To provide accessible, in-person, perinatal mental health peer support to mothers and parents, who are facing perinatal mental ill health, or who may be finding the perinatal period challenging and need community support.

2

To complement the care provided by existing Gold Coast perinatal clinical care facilities such as the Lavender Unit GCUH, Perinatal Psychologists & Psychiatrists, General Practitioner’s and Women’s Health Clinicians. Ensuring parents feel supported throughout the perinatal period and early parenthood years, using the first 2000 days framework to ensure we meet the needs of those families in need of both clinical and peer support.

3

To provide educational resources for families seeking support during the perinatal period, and enhance community knowledge on the signs and symptoms of perinatal mental ill health.

4

To recruit and train a diverse group of peer support workers with lived experience of perinatal mental ill health. Encompassing peer support skills, mental health literacy, cultural sensitivity, identification of at-risk parents and how to refer on to clinical support.

5

Ensure the sustainability and growth of the charity through effective fundraising and financial management.

Our Leadership Team

  • Tracey Tyley

    Founding Director & CEO

    Tracey is a mother of three children aged 4, 6 and 8, with lived experience of postpartum mental ill health. Post recovery she was encouraged to go into mental health peer support work by her perinatal psychologist at the time. Over the last few years Tracey has been volunteering with the Gidget Foundation and raising awareness in the field of perinatal mental health, sharing her story and participating in research forums. Leaning on her background as a professional Accountant and Auditor, Tracey established Motherhood Village to help provide a safe space for Gold Coast mothers to connect with other mothers having similar experiences. Using her own postpartum mental health lived experience, combined with accredited training from COPE and PANDA, Tracey now uses this lived experience to facilitate mental health peer support groups and help other women facing perinatal mental health and challenges in the perinatal period.

  • Dr Lisa Amey

    Director, Clinical Liaison & Advisor

    Lisa graduated with an MBBS from Griffith University in 2010. Since then, she has worked in various capacities clinically within the GCHHS as an Intern, Resident and Paediatric Registrar, as well as within the Gold Coast Community as a General Practitioner Registrar. Over the past eight years, her substantive role has been in senior academic management, as the Phase 3 Lead for Griffith Medical students. Most recently, she commenced as an Assistant Professor at Bond University Medical Program, working to ensure the next generation of medical practitioners continue to provide a culture of safe, effective patient-centred care. Lisa is also a mother of three, who navigated a rocky first pregnancy, with the premature delivery of her first born, compounded by limited local support, with her family living interstate. The perinatal period for her highlighted the need for a village to support the multitude of challenges that go hand in hand with motherhood.

  • Teall McQueen

    Director, Perinatal Mental Health Advisor

    Teall is a Clinical Psychologist and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor with a special interest in Perinatal Psychology. Teall has over a decade of experience working with people from all ages and stages in both the public and private mental health sector. Through having her own children, Teall developed a passion for birth, infants and Matresnce – the journey of becoming a mother. She believes that the transition to parenthood is a hard one – a time of significant change and adjustment. She appreciates the many challenges women and families can face and is passionate about supporting parents through a season of transition.

Who we work collaboratively with

We have formed more wonderful relationships with perinatal specialists and organisations here on the Gold Coast, who we work collaboratively with to ensure you feel well supported during this time.

Lavender Mother Baby Unit Gold Coast University Hospital GCUH Perinatal Infant Mental Health Team Gidget Foundation Australia Petals Perinatal Psychology Red Nose Grief & Loss Support White Cloud Foundation ForWhen John Flynn Private Hospital Maternity Pindara Private Hospital Maternity Gold Coast Private Hospital Maternity GCPHN: Updates and program correspondence to local GP Network. Bond University Pink Elephant GC Psychology Clinic GC Psychology Centre Living Well Psychology & Support Benevolent Society Gold Coast Chevron Island Physio Child Health Social Workers GC Volunteering

Lavender Mother Baby Unit Gold Coast University Hospital GCUH Perinatal Infant Mental Health Team Gidget Foundation Australia Petals Perinatal Psychology Red Nose Grief & Loss Support White Cloud Foundation ForWhen John Flynn Private Hospital Maternity Pindara Private Hospital Maternity Gold Coast Private Hospital Maternity GCPHN: Updates and program correspondence to local GP Network. Bond University Pink Elephant GC Psychology Clinic GC Psychology Centre Living Well Psychology & Support Benevolent Society Gold Coast Chevron Island Physio Child Health Social Workers GC Volunteering

Our Values

Empathy – We demonstrate genuine care and understanding towards all individuals and families experiencing perinatal mental health challenges.

Validation – We acknowledge with kindness and validate that for every parent, their own story and experience is unique to them and their family, and valid in every way.

Empowerment – We aim to empower every parent within community reach with the support, knowledge, and pathways to help them recover from their perinatal mental health challenges and continue to thrive post recovery.

Inclusivity – We recognise and respect the diverse needs and rights of all individuals, regardless of gender identity, cultural background, socioeconomic status, or other factors, to ensure that our support services are accessible to everyone and provided within our scope of practice to the best of our abilities.