Fertility, pregnancy & post-natal

Cake Club is a welcoming and non-judgmental parenting support and playgroup, with weekly sessions held in Southend, Westcliff, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Rochford, Shoebury and Hockley, combining the sling library (run by Slings-on-Sea, part of Parenting-on-Sea CIC) and infant feeding support with a social and supportive playgroup; a community of like-minded parents coming together for tea, cake and chat. We also run three monthly Saturday sessions including one specifically for families with multiples, and collaborate with Southend Pride at their monthly Queer Families session on the last Sunday of the month.

We are a support and playgroup. That means you can come for support, or you can come to play, or both, or neither. Come with your brand new baby, your toddler, or as an expectant parent. Everyone is welcome.

Our aim has always been to offer a safe, non-judgemental and supportive space for parents to gather and support one another. Bring a friend, come with your NCT or hypnobirthing group, drag your mother in law along with you if that makes you feel more comfortable. Or come on your own - lots of people do! Our volunteers are there to welcome you and make you feel at ease, and every single one of them was in your shoes at one point.

We will offer you a hot drink (or a cold one, if that's more your thing), and we'll have varying supplies of cake, biscuits (some individually wrapped to keep things allergy friendly), occasionally pastries, sometimes fruit and some child-friendly snacks for the littles.

If you need any feeding support, we have infant feeding peer supporters at all of our sessions, with specialist support available at Leigh, Southchurch, Shoebury and regularly at our other groups. This doesn't just cover breastfeeding - however you feed your baby, or however you intend to feed them if you're expecting, we're here to help, guide and support as needed. One-to-one support can also be arranged via The Milk Hub, and you can always post in either of our Facebook groups with feeding questions. We work hard to keep everyone on the team up to date with the latest in infant feeding, and everything we share is evidence-based and in line with NHS, NICE and WHO guidance.

The Slings-on-Sea sling library is available at most Cake Club sessions and events (double check for walks and outdoor sessions). We can help with your own sling or carrier, or you can try one from the library selection. Zero judgment on how you choose to carry (or not!) and we'll always try to work with what you've got first, before suggesting any alternatives.

If you're struggling with your emotions, your mental health, your child's sleep (or lack thereof!) or behaviour, pondering a return to work or debating the pros and cons of different childcare options - we can help with all of that. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience within the Cake Club team, and we really have been in your shoes. Most of the team have undergone mental health peer support training and we are able to signpost and refer you if we can't help you ourselves.

So give us a try. We'd love to see you. 💛