Last meeting we had a fantastic speaker – Abby Worthington – founder of The Ruth Project
Four years ago, and inspired by her own experience of miscarriage and postnatal depression, Abby formed the Wairarapa-based charity to help people deal with perinatal stress.
Having a miscarriage and receiving poor or no advice from medics, such as “do not breast feed,” she found bonding with her first child difficult.
She later realised this was wrong for her, especially after seeing how Māori mothers and fathers relate to their babies. Abby and her husband both felt that there was no support for families.
The organisation has 12 volunteers, mainly retired and vetted women and men.
Project Ruth does not replace medical professionals who deal with serious matters. Instead, Abby’s charity lends a hand by giving practical and emotional support to those who need it.
Plunket, midwives, word of mouth and social media spread the word to would-be client families. The charity is funded by grants, donations and other innovative means.
