'Lost' mums praise life-changing support group

A Bristol woman has revealed she started a social group for women in the city, after feeling she had lost her identity during motherhood.

Kirsty Hicks, 32, from Headley Park, gave birth to her first child at 20 and recalled often being told afterwards that it was "all about the baby". She now has three children of her own and is also a stepmother.

In 2025, realising she had put her needs "on the backburner", she posted on social media asking if other women wanted to meet each month. That group grew into Girls Allowed.

"Without [the group], I would just be back in that space that I was 11 years ago with my eldest - feeling so isolated and like I've got no friends - I'm just a mum," she said.

Hicks told John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol: "It's not selfish to look after yourself just because you have children."

She stressed it was vital for women to make time for themselves, as well as others.

"When you're a woman and you're busy, you can lose yourself - so we're there to build community."

The group was formed in February 2025, but has since grown considerably - with events at the BEMMYX social club in Bedminster Down bringing together up to 70 women.

Hicks wanted to ensure the group was inclusive to women who are struggling with mental or physical conditions, having been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, chronic fatigue and an anxiety disorder over the past five years.

But the group isn't just about socialising, it is also about support, she says.

A handful of the group's organisers have been trained in safeguarding, and are able to hold conversations around domestic abuse, social isolation, loneliness and suicide prevention.

"It's kind of like another check-in every single time we see them," Hicks explained.

"It's like, 'how are things now? Do you need any support for this?'

"We've had women turn up saying that they've spoken to someone they've never met before during the evening, and they've come away with like life-changing advice.

"It's lovely to hear - and it's so important that these women come along and they just feel comfortable."

"Nobody is pressured to stay, but we all look after each other."

Kim Waxman, from Bristol, has been a member since Girls Allowed began in 2025, and says she really values the friendships she has made.

"I really haven't got a lot of friends and I don't go out much - so for me, getting out to meet people, getting into the girl crowd - it's really exciting," she said.

"As a woman, it's nice to have that sort of closeness as well. They make a good atmosphere and you feel welcome.

"You have a laugh, have a couple of drinks with them - just get together as a group of girls."

She added: "At first I was a bit nervous and I'm thinking 'I'm not going to do this...'

"But when you walk into that atmosphere - the welcomes, the hugs and everything - they make you feel proud to be a part of the group."

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