About House of Light
House of Light was founded in January 2007 following our own experience of suffering the illness Postnatal Depression (PND). We found that there was an alarming lack of knowledge of the illness and support for women and their families affected by Postnatal Depression.
According to NICE guidelines Postnatal Depression affects 15 to 20% of new mums and it does not matter if it is your first child or fifth! It can affect any mum, if untreated it can have severe consequences for both a mum and child.
In extreme cases, sufferers attempt suicide or may even harm their baby. About 4 out of 1000 women who give birth have to be treated in hospital for the illness. It is believed that in the UK up to 50 mums commit suicide each year before their child’s first birthday as a result of Postnatal Depression. This, we believe is unacceptable. With the right help, support and treatment all women will recover.
Mission Statement
House of Light is a not-for-profit charitable organisation, providing support, information and advice to women and their families affected by Postnatal Depression (PND). The main area of support is in Kingston upon Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. We also offer the service nationally.
The values and principals which underpin House of Light’s work are:
- Equality
- Respect and dignity
- Individuality
- Emotional needs (and Empathy)
- Congruence
- Confidentiality
- Valuing people
- Unconditional positive regard
Our aims are to:
- Provide a range of services for those affected by Postnatal Depression including one to one home visits (locally) either at House of Light or at clients own home, e-mail support, telephone support, a drop-in facility and to provide self help material.
- Complement statutory services which provide support to those affected by Postnatal Depression.
- To ensure that the service is available to all women regardless of age, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, physical abilities and religious beliefs.
- To place service users at the centre of planning and delivery of services.
- To use our resources effectively to give service users best value.
- To help reduce the misunderstanding and stigma often attached to Postnatal Depression by taking part in positive media activities and by participating in and delivering training programmes aimed at Health and Social Care Professionals.
