For many new mums, maternity leave can be a time of joy, but it can also be surprisingly lonely.

The days are filled with feeding schedules, sleepless nights and caring for a new baby, while friends return to work and social lives suddenly look very different.

It is a challenge that many parents face, and one Solihull mum is hoping to make that experience a little easier.

Charlotte relaunched The Mum Club Solihull earlier this year with a simple aim: creating a welcoming space where local mums can connect, make friends and support one another.

The Mum Club was founded in 2016 after its creators identified a gap in the market.

While there were plenty of classes and activities designed for babies, there were fewer opportunities centred around the wellbeing of mothers themselves.

Since then, the organisation has grown into a nationwide network with more than 70 franchises across the UK, all built around the belief that "motherhood wasn't meant to be done alone".

Charlotte first discovered The Mum Club while on maternity leave herself.

"I really enjoyed the events and loved everything The Mum Club stood for," she said.

"Then, at the start of the year, I noticed the Solihull one hadn't been running for a while and I thought it would be great to bring it back."

Since taking over in March, she has organised monthly brunches for local mums, most recently at Boston Tea Party in Solihull town centre.

The events give mothers the chance to spend time with others in a similar position, whether they arrive with a newborn, a toddler or simply on their own.

The focus, Charlotte says, is firmly on the mums.

"There are lots of brilliant baby classes, but they're often centred around the child," she explained.

"The Mum Club is about giving mums a chance to talk, relax and get to know each other."

The brunches include food, drinks, guest speakers and space for babies to play, but the real value often comes from the conversations around the table.

Charlotte remembers how isolating the early months of motherhood could feel.

"When I first had my daughter, I spent a lot of time at home and wondered if I was ever going to get out and meet people," she said.

"When you come to one of these events, you realise there are so many other people feeling exactly the same."

Many attendees come alone, something Charlotte says often surprises people who are nervous about booking their first event.

"You'd be surprised how many people walk through the door by themselves," she said.

"Everyone is so welcoming, and before long people are chatting, swapping numbers and arranging to meet up again."

Those connections are already beginning to form across Solihull.

Charlotte has seen mums who met through The Mum Club go on to arrange walks, coffee dates and regular meet-ups outside of the organised events.

For her, that sense of community is one of the most rewarding parts of running the group.

"It's lovely seeing those friendships develop," she said.

"Sometimes all people need is someone who understands what they're going through."

She believes Solihull is the ideal place for a community like The Mum Club to thrive.

"It's such a family-focused area," she said.

"There are lots of community groups and activities popping up, and people really want those opportunities to connect with others locally."

Looking ahead, Charlotte hopes to expand beyond the monthly brunches and offer a wider range of activities, including coffee mornings, fitness sessions and even parent-and-baby cinema trips.

But whatever shape the group takes in future, the mission will remain the same.

For any mum considering attending for the first time, Charlotte has a simple message.

"If you're worried about coming on your own, just get in touch," she said.

"That's what we're here for. We want people to feel welcome, supported and part of a community."

In a world where many parents can find themselves navigating motherhood in isolation, The Mum Club's growing presence in Solihull is helping ensure that nobody has to do it alone.