A networking group for freelance and self-employed mothers across the South West has opened five new hubs.

Freelance Mum was founded by former BBC Radio Bristol presenter Faye Dicker in 2013, as she looked to juggle her own parenting commitments with her voiceover work, and to support other parents in business.

The group ran ‘netwalks’ around the city for six years, where mums in business could bring their children along to the monthly events while building contacts. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation has now pivoted its model to open new hubs, run by local female business leaders who are also mums.

The new hubs are based in Bristol, Somerset, North Somerset, South Devon, Winchester, and Southampton. Freelance Mum also hosts an online support network, with weekly online coffee mornings and member led sessions open to all hub members across the country.

Ms Dicker said: “When Covid hit us, I instantly launched a weekly on-line coffee morning, which allowed freelance mums, to talk and connect. We suddenly had even more responsibilities, with home schooling and trying to keep our businesses afloat. It was a tough time for everyone, and the support was even more vital.

When the Covid restrictions began to lift, we were able to bring back our ‘netwalks’ again but it was clear to see the online coffee mornings were here to stay. Suddenly we had a scalable model! Members could meet in person at ‘netwalks’ across the country once a month and then all connect at the weekly online coffee morning. It proved an instant hit!”

Ms Dicker added that she “could burst with pride” at the support the platform has offered to freelance working mums across the UK.

Ingrid Wolpert, who leads the South Devon Freelance Mum hub, said: “Something that makes Freelance Mum unique in my opinion – I’ve been to lots of networking groups for women – is the fact that members can bring their children along to the netwalks – I haven’t found another networking group that caters to this unique need of mothers.

In addition, the weekly coffee mornings on Zoom create really strong personal relationships and a great community, plus of course the Facebook group, which is really active, headed by the wonderful FM founder Faye.”