Table 2 Co-applicant mother and baby group profiles

Group 1

North East Scotland; ~10 minute walk

One room within a larger family centre, including a separate crèche room. Sofas, play area adjacent, toys, kitchen area, dining area, unobtrusive site manager in room nearby

~7 mothers (2 mothers left the group and 2 new mothers joined) and their babies, 2 grandmothers – fairly regular group membership

Weekly, Wednesdays noon-2 pm (except during school holidays), plus some additional social/fundraising events

Set format: the café is facilitated by mothers who make and sell a cheap, healthy lunch costing £2 (subsidised through fundraising) to mothers and babies during the first hour. During the second hour, the babies go into the crèche and the mothers enjoy a coffee and a catch up, or participate in training activities/external speakers

Established through a partnership project between Aberdeen City Council, Homestart (http://www.home-start.org.uk/) and NHS Grampian. The café crèche is now independent and self-funding

n = 11 (+ n = 3 social events)

n = 9

Two focus groups (n = 5; n = 5); logic model session (n = 4)

Group 2

North West England; 18 mile drive

One room within a larger community centre, with toys, books and soft play facilities and seating for parents. A café is also located in this room for parents to purchase drinks and food

16-20 families (discontinuous participation)

Weekly, Fridays 9 am-noon (except during school holidays)

Unstructured format. Mother and baby/toddler group in an informal setting where parents can drop in and out to interact with and receive support from Children’s Centre staff members and engage with peers. Children Centre staff member in attendance throughout the session

Local government

n = 4

n = 12

One focus group (n = 4); individual interviews (n = 2); logic model session (n = 4)