A COMMUNITY PROJECT
The most important chapter in a child's life begins earlier than most people realise.
A mother's emotional world during pregnancy and early parenting directly shapes her child's brain, emotional life, and capacity to connect — for life.
THE PROJECT
A window that changes everything
During pregnancy and through early parenting, a mother's stress, trauma, and capacity for connection directly shape her child's developing brain — the regions governing emotional regulation, learning, relationships, and resilience.
When a mother carries unresolved trauma or chronic stress, her child's nervous system adapts to it. Without support, these patterns pass to the next generation.
The earlier a mother is supported, the greater the impact — for her, for her child, and for every generation that follows.
This is where Calm Womb Calm World works.
Supported by P.D.L.E. Inc (Aid to Useful Living), WA not-for-profit.
1 in 5
mothers in Australia experiences a perinatal mental health condition
AIHW, 2023
3×
higher risk for young mothers under 20
AIHW, 2023
"The earlier we work here, the greater the impact."
Van den Bergh et al., 2005 · Coussons-Read, 2013 · Iyengar et al., 2014 · Reissland et al., 2018
THE APPROACH
Where you are is where we start
Calm Womb Calm World comes to mothers — embedded within the environments they already attend, removing the barriers of transport, cost, and childcare. No unfamiliar building. No stranger across a desk.
Rooted in science
Alive in relationship
Drawing on attachment theory, somatic psychotherapy, neuroscience, epigenetics, and prenatal bonding research. At its centre: the developing relationship between mother and child.
Starting from strength
Finding what's already there
Every mother arrives with something — even if it isn't yet visible to her. This work is about finding it. Supporting her sense of self, her connection to her child, and her place within a community of women who understand.
Support is offered through both individual sessions and therapeutic group work — each reinforcing the other.
PROGRAMS
Where the work happens
RUNNING NOW
Young Parent Centre
Port School, Western Australia
A trauma-aware alternative education setting where young mothers and their babies are supported to continue their education. Therapeutic presence is embedded directly within this environment.
Individual sessions and therapeutic group work run alongside each other throughout school terms. Babies and children are not peripheral to the work — nurturing the bond between mother and child is at the heart of every session.
COMING SOON
Pregnancy Program
In development
Reaching mothers at the very beginning — during pregnancy, when the impact of early support is at its greatest. From early pregnancy through birth and into early parenting, reaching two generations before the second has even arrived.
We are seeking host sites and funding partnerships to bring this program to more mothers. If you are interested in being part of its development, we would love to hear from you.
Pilot launched early 2026.
The impact — two quarters in
What becomes possible
50%
increase in young
mothers engaged
67%
increase in babies
and children supported
400%
growth in
new participants
85%
average attendance
across the program
85% attendance is exceptional for a cohort facing poverty, trauma, and significant systemic barriers. These results come from a single pilot site in its first two quarters."The model is proven. The need is significant. Thousands of young mothers across Western Australia are navigating this window right now."
GET INVOLVED
The foundation is laid.
The next chapter needs the right partners.
Investment now extends reach — to more host sites, more young mothers, and a pregnancy program that intervenes before birth.
FUNDERS AND PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS
We welcome conversations with funders committed to early intervention and lasting generational change.
HOST SITES AND COLLABORATIONS
Actively seeking host organisations for both the current program and the pregnancy program in development.
REFERRALS & PROFESSIONAL ENQUIRIES
Supporting young mothers or pregnant women? Get in touch to learn more about the project or how to refer.