“I was so nervous about turning up to my first event with this group, a new member meet up at SALT café a couple of weeks ago, but everyone is so friendly and chatty and welcoming, and babies are a great icebreaker! I've been to two events since and plan to attend many more!”

— Caroline Jarvis

“I’ve been to 2 events so far with my 8 week old baby and can’t speak more highly of them! Ashley and Jazz are absolutely wonderful humans who make you feel so comfortable! They are completely non judgmental, kind and the best helpers! The events have been so lovely and everyone is so supportive and welcoming! I 100% would recommend being brave and coming along!”

— Florrie Lily

“Being a young mum I was petrified of going to a baby and mum group as felt like I would be judged or left out because I don’t fit in with others. However I plucked up the courage to go to my first event at salt cafe a few weeks ago with my then 6 week old little girl. I messaged Ashley prior explaining how I felt nervous and I can’t thank her enough as she met me prior to the event and walked with me which made me feel so much more at ease. I have now been to 3 events and everyone is so lovely and welcoming. Jazz and Ashley are both so bubbly which makes it so much easier to attend these events knowing that there’s no judgement. It’s just genuinely a good atmosphere.”

— Zöe Hatcher

“The Portsmouth & Fareham Baby Club is such a wonderful group for all mums/ parents/ guardians. I’m so pleased I came across the group on Facebook as I was starting to feel a little lost and overwhelmed as a first time mum.

Both Ashley Gunner and Jazz Nieddu have made a really special unique baby club where we can all find lots of things in common with our children and also share joy in our interests and hobbies.

I don’t think I would have been able to make so many adorable memories and keepsakes (although my little girl has a a very quizzical face when we keep painting her feet and hands ) if it wasn’t Ashley and Jazz.

It’s helped me find confidence as a mum a continues to do so. It’s very comforting to be able to find friends for myself and our little girl, so many kind and funny mums and babies.

I’ve been to so many events as I can get to and every time I think my lg may have a meltdown from being tired etc. she has surprised me (still think she will have her drama day/s but they are babies) No one judges, we are all mums first, second, third time or more round and all finding our way with our little individuals.

So if your thinking of going but unsure, just give it a try as you will definitely be pleasantly surprised

Thanks for reading my very long review if you made it to the end”

— Kimberley Moore

“Strap yourselves in for a large review…

I am an incredibly anxious person around new people, I even text my sister whilst sat in the car before the first event my little boy and I attended saying, “My anxiety is telling me to go home before they get here”. She convinced me to go and do it for my baby, he hadn’t yet met another baby his age, so I put on my big girl pants and went for my boy, I stayed for myself! We both had the best time, and I now look forward to every event we can make it to!

Jazz and Ashley are so warm and welcoming and really friendly. They truly have created such an amazing group. Mum and baby groups tend to have a reputation to be quite “cliquey” and I was sooo nervous this would be too but gosh was I wrong! All of the mums I’ve met and spoke with are very easy to get along with and super nice. It is so refreshing to just be able to be around other mums in the same “mum boat”, in a relaxed environment (well, as relaxed as can be with several children causing chaos). We’re all there for the same reason!

Nobody is going to judge you if your baby throws the mother of all meltdowns, or sleeps through the whole event or has a massive poonami explosion. Or anything else you dread when you think of going to a baby group. We are all just grateful to be around other mums and have babies for our own to interact with!

So if you’re nervous like I was about coming to your first event, put on your big girl pants and do it because you won’t regret it for a second!”

— Erin Gale

“I went to my first event this week- the Christmas baubles- with my 4 week old Rose! We had a great time, I was super nervous to begin with but knew if I was going to make the most of our maternity leave that I’d have to put myself out my comfort zone and I’m so glad I did as everyone was really welcoming.

This was the first social event I’d taken Rose to and I’m so glad I did it in this environment. I was so nervous about feeding her in public (never done that before) and concerned she’d have an explosive nappy or just cry - all these things happened and we still had a great time

So glad I was told about this group, can’t wait for the next event we can attend! 100% recommend!”

— Julia Lindsay

“I'm newish to the area so I don't know many people other than work friends so while I've been on maternity it's been pretty hard to meet up with people and get out and about, I'm also quite shy until I get to know people and my surroundings and I am so so so glad I came across The Portsmouth & Fareham Baby Club !! The group are so friendly and welcoming, Ashley Gunner and Jazz Nieddu really put you at ease and put on such fun events! I've been to places i didn't know existed right on my doorstep and I've made some great baby mum friends who I can talk to about anything either baby related or life in general. I cannot recommend this group enough it's been a game changer for me!”

— Laura Fell

“Joining this group has been one of the best things I have done whilst on maternity leave. My boy had a bit of a difficult start being poorly but once he was well enough to get out I had become very nervous.

I messaged Ashley Gunner before my first event and she put me completely as ease. Once I arrived (I was late) Ashley, Jazz Nieddu and the other Mums were all so lovely, supportive and welcoming.

I have been to a few of the events now and every Mum I have spoken to has been friendly and understanding. It’s a brilliant community that has turned my maternity leave around and helped me feel more confident, helped me meet other wonderful Mums, and given me some really special memories with my little boy. I cannot recommend this group enough. Anyone thinking of attending who is nervous, worried, or anxious you don’t need to be. This group is so great I’m disappointed when my other commitments mean I miss an event I want to go to! So grateful to Ashley and Jazz for starting it”

— Clare Lemmon

“The reason I like this club is because here you are actually TALKING to one another. I am a chatter, whoever knows me can confirm that And I am taking my son Aistis to lots of different classes, and in other groups I am only talking to my son It's nice to talk to adults for a change”

— Aušrine Ilevičienė

“The baby club everyone needs to know about

I was so nervous attending my first event, I even parked up and then drove off, before I got up the courage to drive back round and head in. And within less than 5 minutes I was so glad I made that decision.

Ashley, Jazz and the other mums were all so welcoming and friendly. And have been that way for every event I have attended.

Seeing the events go from 5 people attending to 20+ is a huge testament to how brilliant Ashley and Jazz are.

I have made the most beautiful things, gone places I didn't know existed and met some lovely new friends, all thanks to this group.

They say it takes a village to raise a child and this group is the best addition to your village”

— Sammy Martin

“As a first time mum to a dinky preemie baby, I was really nervous about going to any groups or events when she was so tiny. Ashley and Jazz were great and reassured me that it was absolutely fine for her not to go down on the mat, or for us to sit away in the corner if needed, which really helped get up the courage to go along to that first meet.

I was also a bit worried that I wouldn't fit in as an older mum, but everyone is so supportive and Ashley and Jazz have built a lovely inclusive group where anyone is welcome and I have always been able to join in - no cliques, just friendly people who don't mind if you or your baby are a bit shy, nervous or overwhelmed.

We've come along to the make a memory session, dummy necklaces and clips, christmas cards and Christmas brunch, it's been great to do these, meet lovely people have a coffee and a chat and have a keepsake at the end.

We've never been on time yet, but Ashley, Jazz and the other mums are great and just welcome you in and it is one less thing to worry about if you're having one of those days.”

— Vicky Staples

“We have joined two events with the group and what a lovely atmosphere each time we went. All ladies and adorable babies made us feel very welcome and we had lots of fun so will definitely join more this year i would recommend to any new mum.”

— Ivi Cincione

“I feel so lucky that this group was set up when I had my son. As a first time mom it’s hard to know where to start with everything. I’ve been to a few events with my son and instantly get chatting to other parents. I’ve turned up to events sleep deprived, baby sick in my hair with a grumpy baby who likes to scream the loudest but still loved every event. I know I’ll always be in good company.

Don’t ever worry about being late, having to feed, how your baby will behave or feeling nervous. Everyone in the room is going through the same.

I’m looking forward to meeting more lovely parents and babies at future events.”

— Tabby Sadler

“I have been to a few events run by this group. Initially I was nervous wondering what they would be like, how my son would be, would he kick off, would anyone talk to me but the events were nothing like I had imagined. Everyone was so lovely, kind and welcoming. I instantly felt comfortable and like I had been going to events for years! Ashley and Jazz are amazing and go above and beyond to make the events as easy as possible for you. They are ANGELS!!

If you are thinking of coming along to an event, do it! I promise you will have the best time with the best people! xxx”

— Lauren Sim

“This is such a wonderful group, I have actually lost count of how many events we have been to now! My daughter and I both love this group, it is so warm and welcoming and it’s so nice to meet other people in the area ! I strongly recommend to anyone debating coming!”

— Bryony Dunlop

“I never had any mum friends and maternity leave was so lonely before coming across this group 3-4 months ago. I was terrified at the thought of socialising let alone with people I didn’t know but everyone is in the same boat and it was so easy. I’ve now been to several events and everyone I meet is so lovely!

It’s so nice to just have an adult conversation, share experiences and even take in all the tips and tricks! The coffee mornings are great for when the morning has been a rough one - so don’t let lack of sleep stop you because it actually makes the day better just getting that bit of fresh air and seeing the babies play together.

I can’t thank Ashley and Jazz enough for creating such a great group with so many activities to do. It made my maternity leave a thousand times better”

— Charlotte Long

“I have been to a couple of events organized by the baby club and they all have been amazing! Everything has been very well organized at the same time the atmosphere is very relaxed and welcoming. I would definitely suggest attending events to any mum looking to fill their day and making new friends.

Huge thanks to Ashley Gunner and Jazz Nieddu for organizing it all”

— Liva Mestere

“I am so glad I found our little group... the fact that you can just show up and meet friends when your hair is messy and you don't know what day it is meant the world when my little one was so young. Now to be a part of the team to.moderate, help out and even organise some events in the new years means I can feel like I am somebody apart from a mum too!”

— Jess Louise

“I'm so happy we join this group We felt so welcome from the first day and Eddie is aways very happy to play with all the babies and toddlers. Well organised group and very relaxing atmosphere”

— Malwina Newby

“I really wish this group had been around when my daughter was first born. I was super nervous attending my first event, it was the first time i'd been to the venue on my own and i'm pretty sure I was super late too! But i unloaded the buggy and baby from the car and rushed to find the group, for no reason! Everyone there was chilled and relaxed, snacks were on hand, there was no pressure to be on time or to have washed your hair. It's so nice to find a group of mums that are just so friendly, welcoming and not the slightest bit judgy.

And seeing the events grow from 5 people to 20+ has been incredible.

Ashley and Jazz are absolutely amazing and so understanding when you've got a grumpy bubba each time you go to an event.

101% recommend joining the group if you're welcoming a new bub in your life, just to know you aren't alone and find your village”

— Lisa Hawley-Paffett

“When I first saw the group I joined not knowing if I was going to attend anything, I thought after a few weeks everyone would know each other and then it would be too hard to walk in but when the bauble painting popped up I decided to go for it and im so glad I did. Ashley and Jazz are so welcoming, friendly and chatty they make you feel at ease, I would highly recommend the coffee meets as these are less busy if you are worried at first but there really is no need to be, every event/coffee morning I've been too has been brilliant, there is always a wide range of ages at each meet and its lovely getting to know everyone, I hope to do lots more before I go back to work”

— Naomi Griffiths

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