Mums’ support group ‘buzzing’ at award nomination

A community group from Omagh has “saved lives” for hundreds of women, its members have said.

Support 2gether offers support and education to mothers who are living with antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety.

A finalist in the BBC’s Make a Difference Awards 2025, the group was co-founded by Una Leonard along with her sister in response to experiencing postnatal depression 17 years ago.

Run by four women, the organisation provides counselling, peer support and one-to-one services.

Make a Difference is a BBC initiative seeking to recognise and celebrate members of the public who make life better for others where they live.

This year is the first time the awards have been held across the UK.

Ciara O’Goan turned to the charity for help before giving birth to her second child.

“They were there through very dark times, they are the reason I’m still here,” she said.

She is now part of the team and uses her insight to help families in similar circumstances .

“I’ve done the full 360 from being totally ashamed and having a stigma and suffering in silence to now shouting it from the roof tops,” she said.

“I know the difference Support 2gether can make. It’s a pinhole of hope.

“We have mummys that have told us we’ve saved their lives.”

The charity was selected by judges as one of four finalists in the Community Group Award, along with:

• Killeeshil and Galbally Community First Responders, which provides emergency medical assistance in rural areas before ambulance services arrive. In December 2024 the group responded to a heart attack incident and helped stabilise the patient before hospital transfer.
• Hope House Ireland, which provides free respite stays for adult cancer patients in two homes at Browns Bay. It was founded by sisters Dawn and Jacqueline, both of whom have personal experience with cancer.
• Sound Friends Deaf Children’s Society, a parent-led support group for families of children with hearing loss. It offers offer advocacy, information, family support, educational events and inclusive social activities to help children and families navigate hearing challenges

Co-founder Una Leonard said the Support2gether’s leadership team was a “beacon of hope” for the community.

“I have lived with postnatal depression and it has not defined me,” she said.

“When a mummy comes to us she is often surviving for the sake of her baby and at the end when she is surviving for herself, that is mighty.”

The charity supports women through a combination of support and education.

It provides one-to-one support by a perinatal support worker, counselling, talking therapy and peer-to-peer support through workshops and get-togethers.

“There’s no judgement, everybody is suffering something similar and everyone’s journey’s different,” Ciara said.

She said the members of the group were “buzzing” to be nominated.

Una said: “It gives that recognition, that ripple effect through our community and beyond, and gets people to talk more about the illness.”

This year’s categories include:

• Volunteer Award: For an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others
• Young Hero Award: Given to someone aged under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional
• Great Neighbour Award: Presented to a person who helps to make their neighbourhood a better place to live or work in, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness
• Active Award: For an individual or group who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community
• Animal Award: Either bestowed on a remarkable animal that improves people’s lives, or given to an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals
• Green Award: For an individual or group who improve or conserve their local environment
• Fundraiser Award: Open to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause
• Presented to a group that has helped to change the lives of others within their community. This award is supported by the BBC show Morning Live.

Four finalists have been selected by a panel of judges in each category.

Overall winners from each category will be announced live on BBC Radio Ulster’s Vinny and Cate show on Friday 26 September.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story you can find information and support on the BBC Action Line website.