Around 50 young teenaged mums aged 14-20 in Cambridge and surrounding areas, many facing isolation, poverty, and poor mental health, will receive essential personalised support thanks to a grant from Cambridgeshire Freemasons to the Young Parents Programme (YPP) from the Romsey Mill charity.
The £58,000 grant will empower these young mums to build confidence, strengthen bonds with their children, and create stable futures. YPP is one aspect of the work of Romsey Mill, a Cambridge-based charity creating opportunities with young people, families and local communities.
The funding will support tailored one-to-one engagement, a cornerstone of YPP, providing practical help with parenting, mental health, housing, benefits, and re-engagement with education or employment. Young mums, often referred to the programme by midwives, social workers, or schools, frequently report feeling judged or excluded. The YPP offers a safe, non-judgmental space, with 92 per cent of participants recently reporting improved mental health and reduced isolation, and 70 per cent progressing into education, training, or work.
The grant from Cambridgeshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
During their visit to Romsey Mill, Mark Shields ProvGM (designate), and W.Bro. Tony Barrios were shown around the facilities. A food preparation class led by Heather Duke was underway, and Mark Shields ProvGM (designate), joined in, peeling some vegetables and chatting with the young mums taking part.
Heather Duke, Young Parents Team Coordinator at Romsey Mill, said: “We’re very grateful to Cambridgeshire Freemasons for this generous grant. It will help transform lives as Romsey Mill equips young mums with the tools to thrive as parents and individuals, breaking cycles of disadvantage.This grant is vital for sustaining the long-term, relational work we do with young mums. Building trusted relationships over time helps them feel valued and supported, creating lasting change for them and their children.”
Mark Shields, ProvGM (designate), said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Romsey Mill with their hugely important project helping young mothers from Cambridge. Whether it’s dealing with mental health issues or providing assistance with getting back into education or employment, it will reduce the isolation that so many young mothers feel and make a real contribution to giving them a brighter future.”
