If you have followed me for a while, you will know that I have decided to dedicate a blog post each month to one of the amazing Mum-owned local businesses here in Kent. There are *so* many wonderful businesses on our doorstep which are owned and run by incredible local Mums, and I think it is so important to celebrate them and their achievements ❤️
This month I am VERY excited to introduce you to the lovely Karen Lander, Kent Mum and Founder of Mum Hub Kent – a safe place for Mums to come together to chat with others, have a hot cup of tea and focus on their wellbeing.
I recently spent a lovely morning with Karen at one of her Mum Hub morning sessions in Maidstone. We chatted about her amazing business idea and I got to see how these sessions really are designed to give Mums the space to take some time out while their little ones play...
Tell us about your business and what services you offer?
Our Mum Hub morning sessions started in March 2023 and run once a month in Maidstone.
We provide refreshments, toys, books and colouring etc to keep little ones happy (preschool age) so that Mums can take a moment to breathe.
We have regular guest speakers on all sorts of topics related to motherhood.
So far these have included a family food author and blogger, a health coach and nutritionist and a child sleep consultant.
We also have activities run for the children, such as a dance and movement session and a forest school craft morning.
Being a parent can often feel like you are on a constant treadmill trying to balance work, home, children and everything else - life can sometimes be tough.
Mum Hub is a safe place for Mums to come and chat with others, have a hot cup of tea and let their hair down.
Parenting can be very full on day to day and it is good to speak to others for our well-being.
We also run Mums Night’s every few months where you can come and have an evening off and take part in different activities that are offered. Mums can have a drink and something to eat in peace and take some time for themselves!
Is there a story behind the name you chose?
As it’s all about Mums, I wanted it to have Mum in the name and hub seemed appealing as it’s a place to meet up, to talk and share all about your parenting journey - the good days and the bad days too.
What do you offer to your clients that no-one else does?
There are so many baby group and toddler groups around but there isn’t anything focused on Mums.
This is a space for them to come and chat, have a cup of coffee and chat about anything they would like to.
It’s a bit different to the other groups that are around.
Where does your inspiration come from?
After the pandemic I felt that so many people had suffered by not seeing others, having social interaction and so on.
I learnt myself how important it is to talk to people about how you are feeling.
Through my own issues struggling with the day to day parenting of a child with extra needs, I had to learn to take it easy and remember to look after myself.
I wanted to create a space for Mums to emphasise the well-being side of parenting and how it’s so important to re-fuel so that we can be the best for our children.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Planning the events with different guest speakers on topics related to motherhood to try and help Mums with a number of subjects.
Running the events and speaking to the Mums regularly to see how they are doing.
Seeing the children enjoying themselves with the activities and the Mums chatting and getting advice from professionals makes me feel like together we are helping them to find the motherhood journey a little easier.
Also planning Mums Nights for everyone to have a break and enjoy themselves.
If you would like to know more about the wonderful work that Karen is doing, please give her a follow (and your support) on social media and then spread the word about Mum Hub Kent to all of the Mums in your life, because it is really fantastic.
Claire xx