Motherhood Village

Peer-led mental health support for mothers during pregnancy and the first five years postpartum.
Free, in-person support on the Gold Coast.

Our History & Background

Motherhood Village is a Gold Coast-based Health Promotion Charity providing free, in-person, peer-led perinatal mental health support for mothers during pregnancy, postpartum and the early parenting years.

Founded by local mother and lived experience advocate Tracey Tyley, Motherhood Village was established after her own experience navigating perinatal depression and anxiety revealed a significant gap in accessible, community-based support for mothers experiencing mental health challenges on the Gold Coast. While clinical services existed, there was no dedicated place where mothers could access free, in-person peer support from others who truly understood what they were experiencing.

Since opening in 2023, Motherhood Village has grown to become the Gold Coast's leading provider of grassroots, lived experience perinatal mental health peer support.

Our vision is simple: a community where no mother faces mental health challenges alone, and children and families thrive because she is supported.

Our Services - Programs & Activities

Motherhood Village delivers a range of free, trauma-informed, peer-led support programs including:

Perinatal Mental Health Peer Support Groups
Neurodiverse Mothers Peer Support Groups
CALD and Expat Mothers Peer Support Groups
Village Art Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Groups
Mothers Recovering from Acute Perinatal Mental Health Challenges, including mothers recovering from Postpartum Psychosis, OCD and Mother & Baby Unit admissions
Medical and Health Professionals Perinatal Mental Health Support Groups
Red Nose Grief and Loss Bereavement Support Groups
Educational Wellbeing Sessions
Care Navigation and Systems Support

Our groups are facilitated by trained Peer Leaders with lived experience and operate alongside the health system, supporting early intervention, recovery and continuity of care.

A unique feature of Motherhood Village is our Resident Grandma Program, where trained volunteers help care for babies during support groups, allowing mothers to fully engage in their recovery and wellbeing.

Significant Achievements, Milestones and Recognition

Supported more than 1,000 mothers across the Gold Coast and Northern NSW since opening.
Delivered more than 650 occasions of service in the past financial year.
Recognised by hospitals, GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists and community organisations as a trusted referral partner.
Winner – Early Years Award, Queensland Mental Health Awards 2025.
Finalist – Queensland Mental Health Awards (Lived Experience Award 2025).
Finalist – Gold Coast Women in Business Awards 2025 & 2026 in Not For Profit Sector & Sustainability Awards
Recognised in the Queensland Parliament through an Adjournment Speech acknowledging the impact of Motherhood Village.
National Partner for Perinatal Mental Health Week.
Established partnerships with Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Lavender Mother and Baby Unit, Gold Coast Primary Health Network, Red Nose Australia, Baby Give Back, Gold Coast Multicultural Communities Council and many other community organisations.

Big Ideas, Real Impact.

Big Ideas, Real Impact. Big Ideas, Real Impact.

Community Impact and Success Stories

Every year, more than 7,000 babies are born on the Gold Coast, with one in five mothers experiencing perinatal mental ill health.

Motherhood Village exists to ensure those mothers have somewhere safe to turn.

Many mothers who attend our groups are experiencing depression, anxiety, social isolation, birth trauma, grief and loss, neurodivergence, or recovering from severe perinatal mental health challenges. Through peer support, connection and care navigation, we help mothers reconnect with their communities, access additional support and build confidence in their recovery.

One mother, Poppy, came to Motherhood Village experiencing severe postpartum depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Through regular attendance, peer support, care navigation and practical assistance, she was connected to the support she needed and is now thriving, back at work and confidently parenting her son.

Across all programs, participant feedback consistently demonstrates impact, with:

98% of participants reporting they felt heard
96% reporting they felt connected
97% reporting they felt validated
97% reporting they felt supported

Upcoming Projects and Initiatives

July 2026 marks an exciting new chapter as Motherhood Village expands into its permanent home at Sports House, Varsity Lakes.

This dedicated space will allow us to:

Expand existing support groups
Increase support for mothers recovering from acute perinatal mental health challenges
Grow programs for neurodiverse mothers and culturally diverse families
Increase volunteer and student placement opportunities
Deliver more community connection events and wellbeing initiatives
Strengthen partnerships with local organisations and services

Demand for support continues to grow, with waitlists currently existing across all core programs.

Key People

Tracey Tyley - FOUNDER & CEO

Tracey is the Founder and CEO of Motherhood Village and a passionate advocate for maternal mental health. Drawing on her own lived experience of perinatal mental ill health, Tracey has built Motherhood Village into a trusted and award-winning community organisation supporting mothers and families across the Gold Coast.
Peer Leader Team

Our programs are delivered by a dedicated team of trained Peer Leaders with lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges. Their compassion, understanding and willingness to share their own recovery journeys are at the heart of everything we do.
Resident Grandma Volunteers

Our Resident Grandmas provide practical support, comfort and connection to mothers and babies attending our programs and have become one of the most loved aspects of the Motherhood Village model.