Helix Experts by Experience created the 'Born from Experience' video series which share a powerful insight into their lived experience of Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services. 
The video series, funded by Helix Lead Provider Collaborative, consists of seven videos, each sharing a unique perspective on their own personal experience of perinatal mental health services. The videos premiered at the Picturehouse in Chester on Monday 30th March 2026.
The celebration brought together Experts by Experience, healthcare professionals, commissioners, the Sheriff of Chester, Councillor Simon Eardley, and senior leads from Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Wales.
Sheriff of Chester, Councillor Simon Eardley, said: “It was both a moving and inspirational morning spent with the Helix, Cheshire and Merseyside, Perinatal Mental Health, Lead Provider Collaborative, Expert by Experience Forum team at their recent event at Picturehouse, Chester.
The event saw the launch of a series of seven exceptional short films which gave insights into the lived experience of mums and families who have accessed specialised perinatal mental health services. I was struck by the obvious care and attention to detail paid towards this sensitive and important event and the content we explored together.
Hearing the stories of the ‘Experts by Experience’ was incredibly moving and something that will certainly stick in my mind for some time. I am sure these films will touch people greatly, perhaps at a most critical moment in their lives. They deserve – and need – to be shared widely.”
Louise, Helix Expert by Experience, said: “All the films were expertly edited to portray each persons personal journey, struggles and messages of hope. My family and friends are extremely proud that I have achieved this as it wouldn’t have been something I would have even contemplated a few years ago!
"I know that these films will impact many others for years to come and hopefully the changes in practice will happen to improve others journeys in the future."
Following the launch, the event featured a performance from members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, who have a longstanding Music and Health partnership with the NHS.
- Identifying early signs of perinatal mental health
- What a MBU is
- Effects on the family as a whole
- What professionals can do to support
To watch the ‘Born from Experience’ video series, you can follow the link here Born from Experience - Video series :: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Nia, Helix Expert by Experience, said:
"Being part of the Expert by Experience Celebration Event was a privilege, everyone involved in the films showed so much courage and bravery in sharing our all unique stories. In the result of us sharing our stories this will help other Mum's and their families going through a difficult time and hopefully get some reassurance that there is hope and recovery is possible. We all got involved to make a difference and I think all of us will feel a gret achievement in getting involved with Helix through the development of Born from experience"
Jen, Helix Expert by Experience, said:
“Watching the films in sequence on a big screen was so powerful and very emotional, the premiere was a fantastic event and the atmosphere was just full of inspiration and admiration, it moved everybody. I'm so proud of us all and what we've achieved. This is going to make a huge difference for mums, thank you for giving us the space to share our stories”.
Becky, Helix Expert by Experience said:
"It was such an incredible and emotional experience to watch all our films on the big screen. It felt not only like a celebration of what we have created with the forum so far, but living proof that something so special has been created through all our challenges. It was a great opportunity for my Husband (who came with me to the event) to get a real understanding of what we are doing and he was proud of how I spoke about my experiences. Thank you to everyone involved in the celebration event and putting together our forum”.
Jocelyn, Helix Expert by Experience said:
“I became involved with Helix following a chance connection, my dad met Fiona at a parish council event and passed on her details, knowing about my work as a Peer Support Facilitator with Action on Postpartum Psychosis. At the time, I was working primarily across Lancashire and South Cumbria, so it felt particularly meaningful to contribute to something within my own local community, especially the development of the new Mother and Baby Unit.
Alongside this work, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to a series of films focusing on perinatal mental health. These films aim to share lived experiences, reduce stigma, and support both professionals and families in recognising the realities of conditions such as postpartum psychosis, PND, perinatal OCD. By bringing these stories to light, we hope to encourage earlier understanding, compassionate care, and clearer pathways to support for women and their families.
My commitment to this work is deeply personal. I experienced postpartum psychosis while living in Brazil, where I had no access to specialist perinatal support. It was an incredibly isolating and frightening time, and it highlighted to me how vital appropriate, timely care is. Being part of this forum for women with lived experience is therefore incredibly important to me. It provides an opportunity to ensure that other women and families do not face similar gaps in care.
By contributing lived experience to the development of services, including the Mother and Baby Unit, we can help ensure that care is truly centred around the needs of women and their families. Often, it is the small, thoughtful details that make a significant difference during recovery, whether that’s creating environments that feel safe and reassuring, or designing spaces in ways that reduce anxiety and distress. These considerations can have a meaningful impact on how supported a woman feels during what can be an extremely vulnerable time.
I felt very honoured to be involved in creating these films. They represent an important step in improving understanding, reducing stigma, and helping women and their families feel able to reach out for support, and know where to find it.
Finally, I would like to thank Fiona and Gill for fostering this collaboration and for creating a safe, inclusive space for the remarkable and resilient women who are part of this forum”.