A CUMBRIAN support group network has been shortlisted for a national mental health award.

The Happy Mums Foundation has made it to the final in the 'Doing it for Ourselves' category of charity MIND's, annual Marsh Awards - the final is on December 10.

The accolades recognise excellence in mental health peer support in England and Wales.

The winning project in each category will get £500 while two runners up will get £250 each.

The Happy Mums Foundation was set up by Cumbrian Katherine Dalgliesh, because of the lack of support she found for mums suffering mental illness.

She says it hindered her own recovery after severe post-natal depression but led the launch of the Mums Together project in 2017.

Since then, Happy Mums has supported more than 200 women in small support groups and become a lifeline for countless mums and families.

In September they launched the Happy Mumbria project to help women across the county.

Since then they've provided online groups to help mums caring for children during the pandemic.

Happy Mumbria project lead Sarah Penn said: “Our work is more important than ever – so many mums are suffering, cut off from normal channels of support.”

Group member Laura Kirby said: “They are just amazing, you wouldn’t think that just being in a group of other mums chatting would have such an impact on your life.”

Katherine Dalgliesh, executive director and founder said: “We are really proud to have made it to the final.”

For information go to: www.happymums.org.uk