About Mums In Need
About Mums In Need
Empowering Mums Through Post-Separation Abuse
Empowering Mums Through Post-Separation Abuse
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About Mums In Need
Mums In Need (MIN) is a unique support service for mothers experiencing ongoing coercive control after separation from an abusive partner. We are working to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about what abuse looks like, while raising awareness of the complex and often hidden reality of post-separation abuse.
Domestic abuse is always underpinned by coercive control, the emotional and psychological abuse that shatters lives. Physical violence is just one piece of the jigsaw; it is the visible tip of the iceberg. Mums In Need recognises that the abuse that continues beyond physical violence is often unseen by other services, leaving many mothers feeling unheard and unsupported.
Many organisations provide vital support to help people escape domestic abuse, but leaving is not always the end of the abuse. For many mothers, separation marks the beginning of ongoing emotional, psychological, legal and financial abuse, often perpetrated through shared parenting arrangements.
This relentless pattern of control can affect every aspect of life, from mental and physical health to employment, relationships and parenting, leaving many mums feeling isolated and unsure where to turn.
We are here for these women.
Today, we support mums across Sheffield and the surrounding areas, providing trauma-informed support, practical resources and a community that understands the realities of post-separation abuse. Our ambition is to become a national charity, ensuring that every mum facing post-separation abuse, wherever she lives, has access to the understanding, support and hope she needs to move forward with confidence.
The Impact of Our Support
Last year we supported
Learn more in our Impact Report: 24/25
The continued support of our partners, supporters, and dedicated team has been instrumental in our ongoing mission to empower mothers and children facing post-separation abuse.
Thanks to funding, donations and fundraising we are delighted to have been able to support 109 women, and 194 children during our last financial year.
Have a read through our latest Impact Report to see just how your donations have helped>>
2025 Impact Report.pdf
Specialist Support in Post-Separation Abuse
Specialist Support in Post-Separation Abuse
Since 2014, Mums In Need has empowered over 300 women affected by emotional and psychological abuse, also known as coercive control, providing vital support after separation.
Our Mission: Empowering Mums to Rebuild After Post-Separation Abuse
Our Mission: Empowering Mums to Rebuild After Post-Separation Abuse
We exist to ensure that no mother feels alone or powerless in the face of post-separation abuse. Our mission is to provide trauma-informed support, legal signposting, emotional recovery services, and a supportive community for women navigating the aftermath of domestic violence.
Why We’re Needed
Why We’re Needed
Even after escaping an abusive partner, many women face ongoing harm through:
Coercive co-parenting
Legal harassment
Financial abuse
Ongoing threats and manipulation
This continued form of abuse is often misunderstood, underreported, and invisible to most systems — leaving mothers to suffer in silence. We’re here to change that.
What We Do
What We Do
Each mum who joins us is paired with a dedicated Caseworker. They'll listen to your unique situation and create a personalised plan to help you reach your goals. This can come in the form of:
One - one counselling
Legal signposting
Therapeutic support and peer-led groups
Online resources
We work alongside solicitors, therapists, and other specialist services so that every woman is listened to, believed, and supported.
Our Story
Our Story
Mums In Need was created by Laura Riley, our CEO, who personally endured post-separation abuse and recognised the urgent need for specialised support. What started as a peer support network for women has blossomed into a thriving charity, transforming lives and challenging systemic barriers. Learn more here.
Meet Our Specialist Casework Team
Meet Our Specialist Casework Team
Our dedicated team focused on supporting you to rebuild, recover, and move forward after post-separation abuse.
Ursula Joined Mums In Need in January 2024 as a Caseworker.
She earned her social work degree in 2012 and began supporting mothers and their babies in a women's prison. She was passionate about helping these families build strong bonds to enable them to have happy, fulfilling lives after release. She did this for many years before becoming a supervising social worker, overseeing children in their foster family home.
Ursula later worked in women's refuges where she supported women and their children who were fleeing domestic abuse. Ursula supported the families through some of their most turbulent times and was keen to see the best outcome for them, she assisted abuse survivors and their children in establishing a better life.
"I am mother myself and understand the difficulties faced by abuse survivors. Taking on a role as a Caseworker means that I can be there for mothers and their children to provide listening and guidance during those difficult times".
Janet started working with MIN in June 2026. She has supported women in many health and social care settings, as a specialist adult social worker in Hull, North Yorkshire and then Teesside.
Janet is committed to safeguarding and supporting women and children, and has lots of experience about the impact of domestic abuse through family and adult community services. This has included substance misuse services, mental health and family teams.
“It is vital to listen carefully to survivors and support them through a journey of change. Women have so many strengths and talents, it is a privilege to help them recover and build new lives for themselves and their children.
I firmly believe in women's right to empowerment and want to continue to provide support.”
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