Antenatal Friendship Groups

Would you like to meet other expectant mums in Basildon, Thurrock and Canvey Island?

Get involved by:

• Joining the conversation in our chatrooms
• Joining our peer supporters' virtual information sessions and workshops - take a look at the events listed below...
• Sharing this information with others - invite your friends to join us and share on social media
• Add an activity
  • Start a conversation
  • Share a local event
  • Tell us about a local service

Virtual Information Sessions

Parents 1st Essex are running monthly virtual antenatal sessions will give you a chance to meet and chat with other expectant mums living in Basildon, Thurrock and Canvey Island and we'll share information about pregnancy, birth and being a parent.

Our Peer Support Workers will share useful information and handy tips with you on 3 antenatal themes.

1. Health and wellbeing for mum and baby

2. Preparing for labour and birth

3. Practical baby care

Dads Workshops

Parents 1st Essex are also running FREE online workshops for expectant dads who live in the Basildon, Billericay, Wickford, Thurrock or Castlepoint areas of Essex, delivered by Zoe, an experienced antenatal teacher. Find out more information on the event listings below.

Group rules:

Expectant and New Mums (under 9 months) ONLY

Virtual information sessions and chatrooms have been created to support expectant and new mums in Basildon, Thurrock and Canvey Island. These are only open to women, this is due to the sensitive and personal nature of the topics.

Dads Groups

Online workshops are open to all dads in Basildon, Thurrock and Canvey Island. 

Be kind and courteous

We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.

No hate speech or bullying

Make sure that everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things such as race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.

Respect everyone's privacy

Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. What's shared in the group should stay in the group.