Thanks A Million campaign: Mama You’ve Got This creators finding new ways to connect parents with specialists

Freya Owen and Christy Hopwood are revolutionising how parents access specialists and help, while keeping usually high costs down.

Freya Owen and Christy Hopwood started Mama You've Got This to provide support to parents at all stages of pregnancy through to toddler years. Between them they have seven children. Picture: David Geraghty

Freya Owen and Christy Hopwood have seven children under the age of nine between them. They have learned a thing or two about parenting – including when to call in reinforcements. Launching Mama You’ve Got This in February, the pair put parents in touch with experts in a range of fields.

Their new venture was just a few classes in when COVID-19 hit in March.

Christy Hopwood and Freya Owen are running mummy masterclasses to help people deal with the stress of becoming a mum or coping with various stages of motherhood. Picture: Supplied

The women, who met through mothers’ group seven years ago, quickly changed tack, taking their parenting classes online and establishing virtual weekly mothers’ meet ups – all while juggling home schooling and toddlers.

Ms Owen was nominated in the Thanks A Million campaign by Ms Hopwood for her dedication to helping parents. But when she found out about the nomination, Ms Owen said her friend and business partner was an equally worthy candidate.

With Freya’s children Rupert (7), Harry (5) and Arthur (3) and Christy’s children Hope (9), Harvey (7), Hudson (5) and Hunter (3). Picture: David Geraghty

“We are passionate about helping parents,” Ms Owen said. “Initially we were determined to make the classes face-to-face to support parents and give them a chance to connect through the different stages of parenting, from early pregnancy to the toddler years.

“And we wanted to bring in expert information, so we gathered a team of 15 medical and health experts key to each stage, and offered (access) at a fraction of the cost parents would otherwise pay for a consultation.”

Nominate someone and say thanks at thanksamillion.net.au

Despite their early determination to make classes face-to-face, Ms Owen said COVID-19 and lockdown taught them that the virtual model works equally well, allowing them to reach a wider audience – including those who find it hard to leave home.

“When COVID-19 hit we took our Birth, Baby Basics, Infant Essentials and Toddler Masterclasses virtual and held them over Zoom,” Ms Owen said. “When birth classes were cancelled, we ran a free birth class for around 1500 people over Instagram Live. And to provide access to experts for free, we run Insta Lives on topics (parents) want information about.”

These hardworking mums also campaigned to have essential services reinstated for parents, partnered with organisations to hand out nappies, wipes and baby food when these items were in short supply and sent out care packages to parents throughout lockdown.

To nominate someone and say thanks, go to thanksamillion.net.au and they could receive a $200 Woolworths Gift Card.

Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions, visit thanksamillion.net.au