On this weeks podcast I have a lovely chat with Michelle about how she found her love for her profession, life during the lockdown and her favourite places in Sligo.

Some more questions I asked Michelle are here . . .

Tell us more about your career so far . . . I was born in Sligo and have lived here all my life. Home is in North Sligo near Lislarry beach a lovely part of the wild Atlantic. I started working in childcare 25 years ago. I have been a registered childminder, an early years educator in pre-school and also in a special need's preschool. I have trained in Early Years Education, Special Educational Needs, and as a post birth Doula.

During those 20 years in childcare, I kept seeing parents and hearing them talk about how they struggled in those early weeks and months post-birth. I had also remembered my own experience of becoming a mum too. I knew I wanted to try and make a difference to their parenting journey. To make it more positive and empower them in the process.

In 2013 I set up Mamogs, a support service for those birthing and with young babies. It was hard at the beginning as it was new and it took people a while to accept that asking for and accepting help and support is an okay thing to do. Connecting with local services that had a similar clientele helped me a lot and they intern connected me with others and shared training courses that would build on my knowledge and support my clients.

Over the years I have done training or attended workshops in breastfeeding support, early feeding, supporting those coping with pregnancy or infant loss and minding me, among others. During these strange times, I have also done training in infection control, ppe and more to ensure my clients  feel very safe during home visits.

I have also set up virtual support sessions that can be booked through my website and also courses in preparing for post birth and for Dads to be.

Providing support to a family at there most venerable time is a huge honour. When I arrive at a home to provide support Im ready and prepared for anything. Ready to hear that mum's birth story and hold space for her to process it. Ready to hear a partner speak about how they felt during the birth experience. Ready to prep and cook meals, to do a quick tidy, to run a bath for mum. Ready to provide researched information and support there parenting choices. Ready to sit and have a cuppa and be a shoulder to cry on. Ready.

Over the past 4 years I have also run a Pregnancy & Family Wellness Day which had grown to 40 stands bringing business and services that support the family in both public and private sector together. Sadly due to Covid restrictions, this year will be taking a miss.

What do you love about living in Sligo?: Where do I start? Its a culmination of things. We are so lucky to live in a beautiful part of north Sligo near Lislarry beach. Its a little piece of heaven that we felt even more connected to during lockdown.

Living is Sligo gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy your way of life. This can be as fast or slow-paced as you wish and season dependant too. Everything is on our doorstep. Even though we live in the heart of the country the town is only 20 minutes away, with everything you could need there.

When I set up Mamogs, I had a very large community to reach out to. People who provide other services but to a similar catchment as my own. It was wonderful to bounce ideas off them and that later grew into great friendships and shared support.

I love the gentle hustle and bustle in the town, the warmth of the business, in particular, those run by locals or those now settled here. I love the opportunities available to provide support and unity in business like Sligo Woman in Business.

If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: 

Oh T