Our Believe Team
Donna Davenport – Believe Project Lead/Support Advocate
My name is Donna, and I was delighted to have joined Motherwell Cheshire as the Believe Project Lead/Support Advocate. The Believe Programme is very unique. We aim to be the “Voice” of Mum’s whose child/ren are subject to a Child Protection Plan. Within my role, I am able to offer emotional and practical support including accompanying Mum’s to all Social Care Meetings.
Each Mum will have their own bespoke support plan that is personal to them. The plan is devised from our very own Well-being Flower, this is the core of the Believe Support. It helps women to evaluate themselves and to identify the areas they need to make changes, this empowers the women to take control by adapting strategies which suits their needs.
In my previous role I have supported young people for over 20 years within the Education Sector. I have devised and delivered Resilience, Anger Management, Mental Health strategy programmes for young people. I set up and delivered a parent support group, which enabled parents to support their children who were experiencing mental health and emotional difficulties.
I have gained a qualification in Counselling and Psychology which has enabled me to set up my own part-time private practice.
Josie Aallum – Believe Support Advocate
My name is Jo, and I was delighted to have joined the Believe Team in January 2024 as a Support Advocate, offering practical and emotional support to women whose children (or child) are the subject of a Child Protection Plan. My role is to work with Mum’s offering practical and emotional support and to be their voice in difficult circumstances such as when attending Social Care Meetings. Believing in the Mums and helping them to believe in themselves and their abilities is what The Believe Programme is all about.
As a Believe Advocate, my aim is to empower and encourage each Mum to make positive changes in lifestyle and take ownership and control of their lives, through a bespoke, personal plan. Their individual plans help women identify areas to work on, to make positive changes, using strategies planned and agreed together which suit their own individual needs.
My background is in Residential Special Needs Education and Primary Education, and working as a volunteer raising the profile of LGBTQ+ and their needs in today’s society and ensuring equality for all.
The women who progress through the programme are inspirational and give hope to others. Empowering women to achieve their dreams and aspirations is embedded in the Believe ethos and I am proud to grow and contribute to the continued success of this project.
Kate Blakemore – Founder and Chief Executive
As the CEO and founder of Motherwell Cheshire, I have dedicated my career to advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of women and girls. With a background in counselling, I bring both personal and professional experience to my work, particularly in supporting women with complex mental health needs, including those who have experienced abuse or trauma. My passion is to address the gaps in mental health services and ensure women’s voices are heard and valued in the system.
Motherwell Cheshire, a charity run by women for women, focuses on delivering community-based support to vulnerable women and girls across Cheshire. Our projects are designed to empower women by providing access to vital resources and networks of care. The charity is committed to enhancing wellbeing services and creating a supportive environment for women and girls at all stages of their lives.
Beyond my role at Motherwell Cheshire I am an author of the book “Mum’s the Word: The Mothering Journey”, which explores the challenges and triumphs of motherhood. I also chair two charitable initiatives: my local scout group and the A Statue for Ada Campaign, which commemorates the pioneering work of Ada Nield Chew. Additionally, I serve on the Crewe Town Board, contributing to efforts that strengthen our local community.
Balancing my professional responsibilities with my personal life as a mother of three children, I have found therapeutic support invaluable as I navigate the challenges of peri-menopause and an early empty nest. My commitment to self-care extends to staying physically active through open water swimming, cycling and walking.
Through my “Mum’s the Word” YouTube channel, I continue to engage with a wide audience, sharing personal stories of Motherhood.
Meet our Patron
Sally Carman
Sally Carman is one of Britain’s leading female actors having stared in many well known TV productions.
Sally is an established actress, who attended the LAMDA drama school in London.
For the Believe project the roll that stands out was ‘Abi Franklin’ in Coronation Street. Sally’s character represents the amazing women that we support. These mum’s are very often misunderstood, living with mental health conditions after experiencing traumatic events, with a lack of appropriate support.