On 5th March the AiMH UK London Region Hub welcomed 47 participants to its second online event, ‘Babies & Young Children under Lockdown: Attunement and Adaptation. The event was a welcome opportunity for London region infant mental health practitioners to connect with each other. Outgoing London Region Hub lead Sara Rance reviews the event below and invites suggested themes for future hub events from AiMH UK London Hub members.
Monika Celebi, National Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) supervisor and trainer, and parent infant psychotherapist gave a moving presentation about her face to face and online work with parents: A Friendly Mirror – Reaching out to support parents and babies using video Interaction guidance. Monika described how she uses video to help parents to see themselves differently from the outside, and how, with the support of the therapist’s benign gaze, parents can be helped to review some of their negative projections and gain confidence in their capacities through seeing moments of positive connection with their infants – something especially valuable to isolated parents in lockdown times when they are largely deprived of the experience of being supported in their developing role by extended family, friends and wider social networks. Monika has published an edited volume, ‘Weaving the Cradle: Facilitating Groups to Promote Attunement and Bonding between Parents, their Babies and Toddlers’, Singing Dragon 2017
In her presentation ‘Settling in Unsettling times’, Debbie Brace, Early Language and Behaviour Consultant and founder of Baby Talk & Play introduced us to her work in the London Borough of Hounslow, where she and a colleague run the Let’s Talk Together programme for over 50 Early Years settings. She focused on the work supporting practitioners to observe, receive and respond to children’s communications of distress, for instance in the face of separation from their care-givers. Debbie has written about this work in her paper ‘Settling in’: exploring the complexities of observing and responding to young children’s communications of distress as they start day care’, in the Journal of Infant Observation. (Brace, 2021)
Monika and Debbie have kindly agreed to share their PowerPoint slides and these will be emailed to delegates who attended.
Reflective Groups
London Region Hub members were invited to stay for discussion in smaller reflective groups following the presentations.
This was my final event as Chair of the London Region Hub and I am delighted to be passing on the baton to Gwen Kirkwood, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist and Parent Infant Psychotherapist, who runs a Specialist Parent Infant service within City and Hackney NHS CAMHS. Gwen will be supported in this role by Julianne Boutaleb, and other members of the London organising ‘Hubble’; Debbie Brace, Coretta Ogbuagu and Carol Levine. A request was made for an event focussing on parenting premature babies and those born with disabilities. The Hubble would welcome further suggestions of themes for future events.
Other News
AiMH UK AWARDS 2025 – THE WINNERS CIRCLE!
Celebrating 10 years of the AiMH UK Awards!
🎉Congratulations to our award winners, recognised for their outstanding contribution to infant mental health. Your commitment to advancing practice and supporting babies and families is truly inspiring.
AiMHigh Award: Rebecca Stewart
Louise Emanuel Award: Anna Adcock
Gwen Kirkwood Fellowship Awards: Julia Mills and FiveXMore
To read more about our winners click on title above.
AiMH UK Spring Workshop with Dr Ben Grey
Wednesday, 18th March 2025 09:30 – 13:00 ONLINE
'The Stories that Make us: Applying the Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) in Parent-Infant Practice'.
Led by Dr Ben Grey, developer of the MotC and author of the newly released The Meaning of the Child Interview: ‘Making Sense of Parent Child Relationships’ this workshop will outline the basic principles of the MotC and illustrate it's use in clinical practice with parents and infants.
The workshop will offer case examples, interview excerpts and videos to show how the approach can offer a practice path based on understanding parents’ perceptions of their infants
Lunchtime Skills Box Session with Rebecca Chilvers
Thursday 23rd April 1.00PM - 2.00PM
Supporting World Infant, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Day
Not alone in NICU: A Compassionate Companion for Parents of a baby in Neonatal Care’
Join Rebecca Chilvers, Consultant Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS and in independent practice for a powerful Skills Box session exploring the impact of the neonatal environment on babies and families, approaches that empower parents, and ways to support early relationships under stress. Learn how to help families navigate the transition into parenthood in NICU and make sense of their experiences as their baby grows.
🎁 Give a Gift of Student Membership this Christmas 🎄
Supporting the next generation of Early Childhood and Infant Mental Health professionals has never been more important—and now, you can make a meaningful difference with a simple, impactful gift for just £30.
Give a gift that truly makes a difference, for their future, and for the future of the families they will support.
AiMH UK Awards 2025! 🌟
We’re excited to announce the launch of the AiMH UK Awards 2025, celebrating outstanding contributions to the field of infant mental health! 🌟
These awards recognise individuals and teams who go above and beyond to support the emotional well-being of infants, young children, and their families. 💜
🏆 Know someone making a difference? Nominations are now open!
📅 Deadline: Sunday 8 February 2026
👉 Awards presented at: AiMH UK AGM & Awards 2026 with guest speaker – Wednesday 25 February 2026
For full information go to the AiMH UK Awards page
✨Today’s the Day! The AiMH UK National Conference is Here ✨
We’re excited to come together today for the AiMH UK National Conference, where practitioners, researchers, key workers and leaders in infant mental health unite to share knowledge, deepen understanding, and strengthen support for babies, young children, and their families.
This conference is a powerful reminder of why our work matters — building foundations for healthy relationships, resilience, and lifelong wellbeing.
Looking forward to a day of inspiring speakers, meaningful conversations, and connection across our community.
Let’s make it one to remember! 💛👶🧠
AiMH UK Autum Newsletter
AiMH UK Autumn Newsletter 2025
Discover the latest updates in the AiMH UK Autumn Newsletter! Packed with news, upcoming events, and latest IMH updates to support infant mental health professionals. Stay informed and connected with the AiMH community!
AiMH UK Newsletter – Summer Edition
Welcome to the AiMH UK Summer newsletter, where we share updates, insights and opportunities from across the infant mental-health field.
New Online Course: Babies in Mind – Why the Parent’s Mind Matters
Now 30% off for members!
AiMH UK, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, invites you to join this premium online course featured on the FutureLearn Website
The Fatherhood Institute – ‘Looking out for Dad’ Campaign
The Fatherhood Institute has launched an important new campaign, ‘Looking Out for Dad’, calling on the UK government to prioritise fathers’ health and well-being. Add your name to their letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting.
TODAYS THE DAY!
Announcing the AiMH UK Awards Winners!
A huge congratulations to all the winners!
Your dedication and invaluable contributions are making a profound impact on infant mental health and positively transforming the lives of families across the UK!
President Jane Barlow re-elected onto the 1001 Days Steering Group
The 1001 days movement is a group of organisations and professionals working together to campaign about the importance of the emotional wellbeing of babies.
Congratulations on your re-election - from All at AiMH UK
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