Board

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is governed by a volunteer Board and complies with the regulations of the ACT Associations Incorporation ACT 1991. The Board is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, providing strategic direction and overseeing all operations of Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.

Meet our board

President

Meredith Cale

Meredith joined the board in 2018. Meredith is keen to support an organisation providing vital support to Canberra parents.

Meredith has a background in complex ICT Project and Program Management, governance and risk management for a large federal government department.

When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and one year old son, watching rugby, pottering in her craft room and writing poetry.

Vice President

Kate Sowerby

Undergoing updates - thanks for your patience

Treasurer

Karen Michelle

Currently under recruitment

Bianca Williams

Bianca Williams combines community sector and academic experience to address social justice issues. Bianca is an honours and PhD Graduate of Gender Sexuality and Culture, School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics at the Australian National University. Her PhD explored birthing parent’s experience of pregnancy.

She is currently a Visiting Fellow at ANU and is also employed as the senior policy officer at Families Australia, where she provides advice to the governments and the community sector on national policy issues related to gender and families.

Alex Cookson

Amanda Cook

Carla Albrighton

Carla Albrighton is an experienced executive with significant expertise in industrial relations, governance, risk management and corporate management. Carla is an alumna of the University of Canberra and Griffith University and holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Human Resource Management, Communications and International Relations, as well as a Master’s Degree in International Relations. She is a long-standing professional member of the Australian Human Resources Institute, and a recent graduate of the ‘Governance Principles for Not-for-Profit Director’s’ course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Carla is employed as the Governance and Operations Manager at Volunteering Australia and has a four-year-old daughter Phoebe. She has been an active volunteer herself, having worked in orphanages in both Peru and the Philippines.

Naomi Dumbrell

Latest

Perinatal Portraits

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is getting an early start to Perinatal Mental Health Week (6 – 12 November) with Perinatal Portraits - a very special photo exhibition and fundraiser.
Perinatal Portraits

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is getting an early start to Perinatal Mental Health Week (6 – 12 November) with Perinatal Portraits - a very special photo exhibition and fundraiser.
Perinatal Mental Health Week 2021

1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads experience perinatal depression and anxiety, which is around 100,000 Australian parents each year. We're here, we see you! Join us for National Perinatal Mental Health Week.
Parking for Perinatal

Did you know the average cost of parking in Canberra is $15.50 per day? Put your spare change to work by setting up a recurring donation to Perinatal Wellbeing Centre and help us support local families to have the best start in life.

How we help you

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre programs are designed to provide the support you need at every stage, and our team of Perinatal Mental Health Workers can work with you to tailor your own pathway through our services. Call 02 6288 1936 and speak to a member of our team about how you are feeling and how we can help. No diagnosis or referral is required.
What we do

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the Australian Capital Territory. Primarily funded by ACT Health, it is staffed by experienced perinatal mental health workers and administration staff.
Donate today

Please show your support for parents and families experiencing perinatal mental health challenges by making a tax deductible donation to Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.
Support groups

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provides support groups aimed at connecting you with others who are having similar experiences. Groups provide an opportunity to share mutual support, as well as looking at strategies to aid in recovery. To access a support group you need to first be a client of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre. To become a client click here.
Self care strategies for parents and caregivers

Caring for a small child can be rewarding, exciting, surprising and frustrating. It can also sometimes be stressful, exhausting and worrying. Check out our list of self care ideas, and think about how these ideas might fit into your routine.
Perinatal anxiety

1 in 4 people will experience anxiety in their lifetime and for women it is more likely to occur during pregnancy or in the year following birth. As many as 1 in 5 women will experience perinatal anxiety. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal anxiety.
The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia

Perinatal depression and anxiety costs $877 million a year in Australia, and that is just the beginning. Our new report 'The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia' highlights key findings on the economic costs of PNDA.
Perinatal depression

Depression occurs in up to 1 in 10 women during pregnancy, and in up to 1 in 7 women after the birth of a baby. Men are also affected by postnatal depression. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal depression.
Board

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is governed by a volunteer Board and complies with the regulations of the ACT Associations Incorporation Act (1991). The Board is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, providing strategic direction and overseeing all operations of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.
Our history

The experienced team at the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provide mental health support, education, information and referral for families in Canberra during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby.