Esther Rantzen’s Mama was a lifeline for new mums

‘She was warm, welcoming and a true inspiration, demonstrating how important being there for her own family was while she was also busy trying to make the world a better place.’ Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian

Esther Rantzen (Obituary, 1 October) is rightly remembered and honoured for her wide-ranging charity work, including establishing Childline and the Silver Line. One of the charities that she pioneered was the Meet-a-Mum Association (Mama), founded in 1979. Mama established a network of local groups offering friendship and support for new mothers.

In 1984, I was a young mum with a toddler and a two-week-old baby, and had just moved to Hertfordshire from South Yorkshire. Mama was a lifeline that helped me become part of the new community with access to support, and I joined the local Mama committee soon after.