Supporting new mums on their return to work

Sopra Steria introduced maternity workshops this year. Hear about the impact from one of the participants, Milly.

I returned from maternity leave this year, after having had 12 months off. I was quite anxious about my return, with concerns ranging from missing out on my daughter’s milestones, to how I would transition from Mum to “working Milly”. How much of my job would I remember how to do? How much would be expected of me? I didn’t know how I’d be able to keep on top of everything at both work and home.

When I started work again following my ‘Keep in Touch’ days, I felt very welcomed and was made to feel at ease. My new working schedule is two days per week, so it was a little challenging getting back into the swing of things, but I felt supported in finding my feet again at my own pace.

Early on, I received an email to invite me to a new virtual workshop for maternity returners. I was very pleased to hear about the sessions, but I was a little apprehensive at first. I wasn’t sure how many people would be attending or how formal they’d be.

I was pleasantly surprised. The workshops weren’t as structured as I thought they might be, but that was actually a good thing. It allowed us new mums to share experiences to help each other. We covered a lot in the workshops, and I found it comforting knowing I wasn’t alone in how I was thinking and feeling.

Our cohort has continued our catchups fortnightly, and it’s been lovely knowing we all have that platform to chat, share and ask for help with all sorts of different aspects of motherhood and being a working mum.

Knowing I have the wrap-around support of other working mums across the wider organisation, on top of the support from my immediate team, has helped me settle back into work more quickly for sure.

Milly with her line manager, Tina

“As Milly’s manager, I was impressed when I saw that Sopra Steria was running the maternity returner workshops. It’s a tough time adjusting to being a new mum, so having these groups to provide validation and reassurance is great for making sure people feel supported in a holistic and empathetic way. They’ve certainly enabled Milly to feel more confident, well-supported and less alone with some of her concerns. I wish I’d had this opportunity at work over 28 years ago when I had my children – it helps the transition back into the working world after such a massive life event.”

 - Tina, Senior People Manager and Recruitment Specialist

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