Successful Mums Career Academy was proud to attend the launch of Marmalade Trust’s Loneliness Awareness Week at the House of Commons, joining charities, employers, policymakers and community organisations in an important conversation about reducing loneliness and building stronger communities.
The event brought together a range of inspiring speakers, including Marmalade Trust Founder Amy Perrin OBE, Alex McIntyre MP, Stephanie Peacock MP, Boudewijn Haarsma, Paul Davies MP and Lara Rodwell. Throughout the day, there were powerful discussions about the impact of loneliness and what we can all do to create more connected communities.
When people think about loneliness, they often picture older adults living alone. While loneliness can certainly affect older generations, it is important to recognise that women and mothers can experience loneliness too. Many mums spend years focusing on caring for their families, often putting their own needs, careers and social connections on hold. Returning to work, rebuilding confidence, relocating, experiencing relationship changes, or simply navigating the demands of family life can all leave women feeling isolated.
At Successful Mums, we see first-hand how common these feelings can be. Many of the women who join our programmes tell us they have lost confidence, feel disconnected from professional networks or simply miss having opportunities to meet like-minded people. That’s why creating supportive communities is such an important part of everything we do.
For many mums returning to work, masking imposter syndrome can fuel loneliness. After time away raising children, many feel pressure to prove themselves while underestimating the valuable skills gained through motherhood. This can lead to feelings of isolation and self-doubt. Successful Mums courses help break this cycle by providing support, building confidence and helping women recognise their transferable skills, enabling them to return to work with greater self-belief and a stronger sense of belonging.
One of the highlights of the day at the Houses of Commons was seeing our very own Successful Mums graduate, Lucia Baldwin, sharing her personal journey back into employment. Lucia spoke about the positive impact that support, encouragement and opportunity can have when rebuilding confidence and moving forward in your career. We were incredibly proud to see her representing the experiences of so many women we work with and helping to raise awareness that loneliness can affect people from all walks of life.
As Lucia shared:
“Returning to work wasn’t just about finding a job I love; it was also about rebuilding my confidence and reconnecting with people. Being able to share my story at the House of Commons was a real privilege.”
What stood out most during the event was the willingness of everyone to talk openly, share experiences and listen to different perspectives. In a world where genuine connection can sometimes be overlooked, creating spaces for meaningful conversations has never been more important.
Loneliness is something that can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstances. By raising awareness and encouraging connection, we can help ensure that fewer people feel alone and more people feel supported.
A huge thank you to Tara Fisher for inviting Successful Mums Career Academy to be part of such an important event and to Marmalade Trust for leading this important campaign.
We would also like to thank Lisa Harris and Rachel Gasson from Successful Mums for attending and supporting the event, and a special thank you to Lucia for sharing her story so openly and helping to shine a light on an issue that affects so many women and mothers across the UK.
Together, we can continue to break down the stigma around loneliness and remind people that reaching out, talking and connecting really does make a difference.
If you’re feeling lonely, please remember that you don’t have to face it alone. If you’d like to meet other mums, build your confidence and take positive steps towards your future, take a look at our courses HERE.