Aberdeenshire Birth and Baby CIC

27/09/2026

So… what actually is a CIC?

We’ve been asked this quite a few times since we started talking about Aberdeenshire Birth & Baby CIC. We realised that unless you’ve come across one before, Community Interest Company probably doesn’t tell you very much!

So rather than give you a complicated explanation of company structures, we thought we’d tell you what it means for the families we hope to support.

We’re building an organisation centred around pregnancy, birth, babies, early parenthood and most importantly…community.

We want to make it easier for families across Aberdeenshire to find trusted information, professional support, education, local services and other parents to walk alongside them.

As funding and income allow, we hope that means more free and low-cost groups, workshops, infant feeding and postnatal support, parent education, community events, guest professionals and support reaching more of our rural communities.

We also know there are already some wonderful people and organisations doing brilliant work locally. We’re not here to replace them. We want to connect, collaborate and help fill the gaps.

Right now, we’re at the beginning.

We’re listening.
We’re learning.
We’re applying for funding.
We’re building partnerships.
And most importantly, we’re asking local families what they actually need.

Because we don’t want to build something for our community without them.

We want to build it WITH you.

So keep talking to us.
Tell us what’s missing.
Tell us what has helped.
Tell us what you wish had been there when you needed it.

Come help us build the village.

Arielle & Shannon ❤️

24/09/2026

Meet the other Director 👋 I’m Arielle.

You’ll see plenty about what we hope Aberdeenshire Birth & Baby CIC will become. But we thought it was important that you also get to know the people behind it, and why we care so much about building it.

I’m a mum of two, an IBCLC, a psychology graduate, founder of Breastfeed Scotland… and someone who has spent many years sitting alongside families during some of the most wonderful, exhausting, vulnerable and downright messy parts of becoming a parent.

And if there’s one thing those years have taught me, it’s this:

Families don’t live in boxes.

Pregnancy, birth, feeding, mental health, relationships, money, isolation and simply figuring out how on earth to be a parent all overlap.

There are some incredible professionals, organisations and services already supporting families across Aberdeenshire. We don’t want to replace them.

We want to help connect the pieces, fill the gaps and make it easier for families to find the support and community they need.

That’s the bit of this CIC that matters so much to me.

Shannon and I are still right at the beginning. We’re listening, learning, researching, planning and building. We genuinely want the families and communities of Aberdeenshire to help shape what comes next.

So have a swipe and get to know me a little better. ➡️

And if you’re one of our Founding Followers already, thank you for being here at the beginning. 💜

Building bridges, not barriers.
Welcome to the village. 🌿

❤️Arielle

24/09/2026

Meet the other Director 👋 I’m Arielle.

You’ll see plenty about what we hope Aberdeenshire Birth & Baby CIC will become. But we thought it was important that you also get to know the people behind it, and why we care so much about building it.

I’m a mum of two, an IBCLC, a psychology graduate, founder of Breastfeed Scotland… and someone who has spent many years sitting alongside families during some of the most wonderful, exhausting, vulnerable and downright messy parts of becoming a parent.

And if there’s one thing those years have taught me, it’s this:

Families don’t live in boxes.

Pregnancy, birth, feeding, mental health, relationships, money, isolation and simply figuring out how on earth to be a parent all overlap.

There are some incredible professionals, organisations and services already supporting families across Aberdeenshire. We don’t want to replace them.

We want to help connect the pieces, fill the gaps and make it easier for families to find the support and community they need.

That’s the bit of this CIC that matters so much to me.

Shannon and I are still right at the beginning. We’re listening, learning, researching, planning and building. We genuinely want the families and communities of Aberdeenshire to help shape what comes next.

So have a swipe and get to know me a little better. ➡️

And if you’re one of our Founding Followers already, thank you for being here at the beginning. 💜

Building bridges, not barriers.
Welcome to the village. 🌿

❤️Arielle

19/09/2026

If you’re new around here, I thought it was time you met one half of the team behind Aberdeenshire Birth & Baby CIC!

I’m Shannon — one of the founders and director, wife to my husband of 21 years, mum of seven, and Keeper of a Sacred Birth.

For almost 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and those early years of parenting.

But this has never just been a job to me.
It’s been woven into my life, my family and my heart.

I’ve sat with parents in the beautiful moments and the really hard ones. I’ve heard the worries that don’t always get spoken out loud. And I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone simply says:

“I see you. You’re not alone. I’m here.”

That is what community can do.

I believe families were never meant to raise children in isolation. We may not be able to recreate the villages of the past, but I believe we can build something new.

Something intentional.
Something welcoming.
Something rooted in community.

That is the heart behind Aberdeenshire Birth & Baby CIC — a vision that I’m incredibly grateful to be building alongside the other half of our team.

Our dream isn’t simply to create another service. It’s to help build a village that grows alongside families — from pregnancy and birth, through feeding and postpartum, and into those precious early years.

A place to find information, practical support, friendship, connection and belonging.

So if you’re expecting, raising little ones, looking for your village, or simply believe families deserve more support…

I’m so glad you’re here.

This is just the beginning.

Welcome to the village.

Shannon x

14/09/2026

ABERDEENSHIRE PARENTS — WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

What was pregnancy, birth and those first years of parenting really like for you?

Did you feel supported?

Did you know where to turn when you needed help?

Did you have a village around you… or did you sometimes feel like you were doing it all alone?

And what do you wish had been available to you?

We’re asking parents across Aberdeenshire to take a few minutes to complete our community survey as we build Aberdeenshire Birth & Baby CIC — a community resource supporting families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the early years.

We want to hear from you whether your experiences have been wonderful, difficult, or somewhere in between.

Your responses will help us:

- Understand the real experiences and needs of local families
- Identify gaps in existing support
- Shape the groups, classes and services we develop
- Demonstrate the need for this support when applying for funding and grants
- Help us secure funding so we can make support more accessible to families across Aberdeenshire
- Build something that genuinely reflects what our community needs

Your voice can make a real difference.

When we apply for funding, we need to be able to show funders not only what we believe families need, but what families themselves are telling us.

So if you’ve ever thought:

💭 “I wish there had been more support…”
💭 “I felt really isolated after having my baby…”
💭 “I didn’t know where to go for help…”
💭 “I would have loved to meet other parents…”
💭 “This is the kind of support I wish existed locally…”

Please tell us.

And if your experience was positive, we want to hear that too. Understanding what is already working is just as important.

This survey isn’t about telling us what you think we want to hear. It’s about telling us what families in Aberdeenshire actually need. Because families shouldn’t have to navigate pregnancy, birth and parenthood alone.

It takes a village — and we want to help build that village with you. 🫶

Please take a few minutes to complete our survey.

👉 ABERDEENSHIRE PARENTS — WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

What was pregnancy, birth and those first years of parenting really like for you?

Did you feel supported?

Did you know where to turn when you needed help?

Did you have a village around you… or did you sometimes feel like you were doing it all alone?

And what do you wish had been available to you?

We’re asking parents across Aberdeenshire to take a few minutes to complete our community survey as we build Aberdeenshire Birth & Baby CIC — a community resource supporting families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the early years.

We want to hear from you whether your experiences have been wonderful, difficult, or somewhere in between.

Your responses will help us:

- Understand the real experiences and needs of local families
- Identify gaps in existing support
- Shape the groups, classes and services we develop
- Demonstrate the need for this support when applying for funding and grants
- Help us secure funding so we can make support more accessible to families across Aberdeenshire
- Build something that genuinely reflects what our community needs

Your voice can make a real difference.

When we apply for funding, we need to be able to show funders not only what we believe families need, but what families themselves are telling us.

So if you’ve ever thought:

💭 “I wish there had been more support…”
💭 “I felt really isolated after having my baby…”
💭 “I didn’t know where to go for help…”
💭 “I would have loved to meet other parents…”
💭 “This is the kind of support I wish existed locally…”

Please tell us.

And if your experience was positive, we want to hear that too. Understanding what is already working is just as important.

This survey isn’t about telling us what you think we want to hear. It’s about telling us what families in Aberdeenshire actually need. Because families shouldn’t have to navigate pregnancy, birth and parenthood alone.

It takes a village — and we want to help build that village with you. 🫶

Please take a few minutes to complete our survey.

👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKqwKazboKLNqs9T9Vm8aVXuEHXZ7_DpiahjNirg8OrPTp3g/viewform

Please share this post with other parents, grandparents, expectant parents and families across Aberdeenshire. The more voices we hear, the stronger the picture we can give funders of the support our community needs.

Thank you for helping us build something meaningful for Aberdeenshire families.



Please share this post with other parents, grandparents, expectant parents and families across Aberdeenshire. The more voices we hear, the stronger the picture we can give funders of the support our community needs.

Thank you for helping us build something meaningful for Aberdeenshire families.

04/09/2026

This Sunday 😊

💜 Expecting a baby soon or know someone who is? Come along to our Nearly New Sale and get some great bargains for baby and mum to be! Our next sale is in two weeks time

🎉 Sunday 6th September
🕑 12.30 pm - 2 pm
📍Axis Center, Newmachar
£1.50 per adult

You can expect to find:
⭐Equipment
⭐ Toys
⭐ Books
⭐ Games
⭐ Clothes from birth up to 12 years, as well at maternity clothing

❤️ If you are taking your wee one with you, we encourage you to use a sling rather than taking a buggy in, it makes for much easier shopping

Our sales are 100% run by volunteers and we can’t wait to see you there 💜

30/08/2026

Spots available tomorrow. Want a cuppa and chat with those who get it? Hope to see you there. ❤️ - Shannon

What's on at LATNEM this week

We have 3 Face to Face Support Groups week commencing Monday 31st August. Take a look to see if you have one in your area and come along for a chat and a cuppa. If you can't make one in person we also have LATNEM LATER on Thursday evening at 8.30pm

Click the link to get more information and book your spot.

http://latnem.eventbrite.com

They are lovely, relaxed spaces designed for you to prioritise your wellbeing and find a friendly listening ear. Any Mum who needs support with her mental health is welcome to come along.

28/07/2026

Behind the scenes of Aberdeenshire Birth and Baby with Arielle and Shannon

28/07/2026

Behind the scenes with Aberdeenshire Birth and Baby CIC!

24/07/2026

Check it out!

We had such a great time in Newmachar earlier this year we are coming back (don’t worry Portlethen -we are making plans to be back very soon!)

SUNDAY 6th September
12.30-2pm.
Newmachar Axis Centre

All you need for pregnancy, baby and children up to about teens.

We will have limited seller numbers on sale Sunday 8am. These will go very quickly, the link will be on this page.