Netmums co-founder 'humbled' by OBE

One of the co-founders of parental support website Netmums has said her OBE recognises the achievements of all mothers.

Sally Russell, 47, who started the site in 2000 with two other young mothers, said she felt “humbled” to receive the award.

She and co-founders Siobhan Freegard and Cathy Court all receive the OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Speaking from her home in Watford, Mrs Russell, who is also known as Sarah, said: “It’s not so much a personal recognition but a recognition of what’s been achieved by mums all over the country.

“We’re really delighted that it has recognised that through something as simple as the internet we can make a difference to people’s lives and that’s what motivated us in the first place and still motivates us today, and it’s lovely to see that recognised in the wider world.

“It’s extremely exciting and of course it’s also a huge personal honour. I feel very humbled, it wasn’t expected at all.

“It’s lovely to know that families and parents are thought of and we are making a difference to people.”

The three women met when their eldest sons were at playgroup together and decided to set up a local website to help other young mothers in their area.

Since then Netmums.com has grown to become Britain’s biggest parenting site, with 1.6 million members.

Mrs Russell, who was suffering from post-natal depression and had stopped working, said it came at a time when she was personally in need of a local support network.

The website soon branched out to other areas they had links to before becoming national and it now has 60 employees, most of them mothers working from home as far and wide as Orkney and Kent.

“It’s a real grassroots cooperation,” Mrs Russell said. “At the time there were other similar websites having millions of pounds spent on them but we grew it from the bottom up. Many of our staff have been with us from the very early days.”

The mother-of-two, whose father and grandfather both received OBEs for services to industry, said there were two main factors that set Netmums apart from other similar sites.

“The first is the local element,” Mrs Russell said. “What mums most need, particularly when they’ve got younger children, is local information in terms of local groups and nurseries.

“The second is our focus on support. We offer healthcare and other professional support to parents, such as on domestic violence or financial advice. We’ve also done lots of research into post-natal depression and our forums are moderated to stop bullying. That support ethos is what sets us apart.”

Mrs Court, 49, from Tring, Hertfordshire, also said she was “thrilled” to be recognised. “We set up Netmums to help mothers in the first place and even though we’ve become more commercial it remains our prioity,” she said.

Mrs Court, whose two children are also now teenagers, added: “Netmums was created to support all parents so they can get the most out of family life, from helping those with severe needs to simply introducing local parents or giving mums ideas for crafts to keep kids busy on a rainy day.

“It’s wonderful to know it’s made a positive difference to millions and millions of British parents, and we are grateful for everyone who has contributed to the site and made it so very special.”

Ms Freegard, 46, from Harrow, north-west London, said: “We are privileged and thrilled to accept the awards – but it isn’t for the founders, it’s for the Netmums staff and all the Netmums members who provide invaluable support make the site what it is.

“Prior to Netmums, parenting could be a lonely existence but we are delighted the success of our site means no mum or dad has to feel isolated or unhappy ever again.”

Netmums co-founder 'humbled' by OBE