TfL Offers Free Cable Car Rides for Maternal Mental Health Week 2026

Key Points

• Transport for London (TfL) hosts a free event on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, from 10:00 to 15:00 at the London Cable Car Experience next to Greenwich Peninsula terminal.
• The event marks Maternal Mental Health Week (4-10 May 2026), its 10th anniversary with theme ‘A Decade of Voices’.
• Open to all Londoners, it provides a safe space to learn about maternal mental health support, reduce stigma, and encourage conversations.
• Partners include Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, MumsAid, OCEAN East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Footprints Baby Loss, and Sister Circle.
• Free cable car ride for those booking via Eventbrite; collect Baby on Board badge (20th anniversary) or new Babies on Board badge for multiple births.
• Specially wrapped cable car cabin highlights partner charities.
• Timetable: 10:00-10:30 welcome; 10:30-11:00 Eve Canavan BEM on history; 11:00-11:30 MumsAid; 11:30-12:15 Nadine Johnson (Sister Circle) on birth inequality; 12:30-13:00 baby loss talk by Alexa Henry and Dr Sekaylia Gooden; 12:30-13:30 hula stretching with Valerie Johnson; 13:30-14:30 panel with Justine Cawley, Alexa Henry, Eve Canavan, Rebecca Bullimore, Emmanuelle Bailey; 14:30-15:00 closing.
• Free hot drink; event covers sensitive topics like baby loss and birth trauma; cable car subject to weather.
• Around one in five mothers face mental health issues during pregnancy or first year postpartum; up to half undetected.
• Statements from Fiona Jones (TfL), Eve Canavan BEM, Dr Miriam Donaghy (MumsAid), Justine Cawley (OCEAN ELFT), Sharon Darke (Footprints), Karen Wint (Sister Circle).

London (Britain Today News) May 5, 2026 – Transport for London (TfL) is hosting a free daytime event on Wednesday 6 May between 10:00 and 15:00 at the London Cable Car Experience, next to the Greenwich Peninsula terminal, to mark Maternal Mental Health Week.

The initiative, open to all Londoners, creates a safe and welcoming space to learn about maternal mental health and available support. Delivered in collaboration with Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, MumsAid, OCEAN East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Footprints Baby Loss, and Sister Circle, it aims to reduce stigma, foster open conversations, share support networks, and build confidence in seeking help.

Those booking a free place via Eventbrite will enjoy a free cable car ride, subject to weather conditions. Attendees can collect a Baby on Board badge, celebrating its 20th anniversary, or the new Babies on Board badge designed by TfL for women expecting twins, triplets, or multiples, reminding travellers to offer seats.

What Is Maternal Mental Health Week 2026?

Maternal Mental Health Week runs from 4 to 10 May 2026, raising awareness and tackling stigma around mental health struggles before, during, and after pregnancy. This year marks the 10th anniversary, themed ‘A Decade of Voices’, honouring lived experiences and advocacy.

Around one in five mothers experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy or the first year of their child’s life, with up to half going undetected or unsupported. The week promotes empathy, progress, and access to services.

As reported in official announcements, the campaign amplifies stories to ensure women feel supported during motherhood’s transitions.

Why Is TfL Hosting This Free Event?

TfL’s London Cable Car is partnering with specialist charities to boost awareness of maternal mental health support. Fiona Jones, TfL’s Head of London Cable Car, said:

“We’re thrilled to partner with specialist charities and organisations to help improve awareness on how people can access maternal mental health support. By hosting this free event and unveiling our specially wrapped Cable Car cabin, we hope to shine a light on this important issue and show our support for Maternal Mental Health Week.”

The specially wrapped cabin highlights the partner organisations, making conversations visible in a public space.

The event includes stalls, expert talks, a gentle hula stretching session, and a panel discussion, all to make support accessible.

Who Are the Key Partner Organisations?

The event collaborates with several groups focused on perinatal mental health. Perinatal Mental Health Partnership coordinates national efforts; MumsAid supports mothers in crisis; OCEAN ELFT provides NHS perinatal services; Footprints Baby Loss aids bereavement; Sister Circle addresses Black maternal health disparities.

Dr Miriam Donaghy, CEO and Founder of MumsAid, said:

“Every year, Maternal Mental Health Week allows us to shine a light on this vital issue. It has been wonderful to see the coverage around the campaign increase every year, but there is still more work to be done to ensure that all mothers feel properly supported as they make the life-changing transition into motherhood. We are proud to be at the forefront of this work.”

Justine Cawley, Lead for Perinatal Mental Health for OCEAN ELFT, said:

“Maternal mental health affects not just mothers, but families, communities and society as a whole. Maternal Mental Health Week is a vital opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma and start meaningful conversations. We’re proud to work alongside TfL to use public spaces to make these conversations visible and accessible, helping ensure women across London feel seen, heard, supported and reminded that they are not alone.”

What Talks and Activities Are Scheduled?

The detailed timetable ensures a structured day of engagement. It begins with 10:00–10:30 open and welcome, followed by 10:30–11:00 where Eve Canavan BEM of Perinatal Mental Health Partnership discusses the history of Maternal Mental Health Week.

At 11:00-11:30, MumsAid presents; 11:30–12:15 features Nadine Johnson of Sister Circle in a Conversation Cafe on understanding maternal health and birth inequality.

From 12:30–13:00, Alexa Henry of Sister Circle and Dr Sekaylia Gooden of OCEAN address baby loss and its invisibility; simultaneously, 12:30–13:30 offers hula stretching with Valerie Johnson.

Who Joins the Afternoon Panel?

The 13:30–14:30 panel includes Justine Cawley (OCEAN ELFT), Alexa Henry (Sister Circle), Eve Canavan BEM (Perinatal Mental Health Partnership), Rebecca Bullimore (Footprints Baby Loss Befriender), and Emmanuelle Bailey, MBACP, UKCP Counselling Coordinator and Psychotherapist. Closing remarks follow at 14:30–15:00.

Free hot drinks are provided, and tickets must be shown at the ticket office.

How Does Eve Canavan View This Milestone?

Eve Canavan BEM, Co-Founder and Coordinator of Maternal Mental Health Week, said:

“We are incredibly proud to mark the tenth anniversary of Maternal Mental Health Week. This year’s theme, ‘A Decade of Voices,’ is a tribute to the power of lived experience; it honours the courage of every woman who has shared her journey through perinatal mental health challenges. We are also immensely grateful for the support of Transport for London in helping us amplify these vital stories as we celebrate ten years of progress, empathy, and advocacy.”

Her talk kicks off the sessions, setting the historical context.

What Support Do Partner Charities Offer?

Sharon Darke, Co-Founder and CEO of Footprints Baby Loss, said:

“We are so pleased to be attending this event during Maternal Mental Health Week. We know how important it is to reduce the stigma around talking about baby loss particularly twin and triplet loss and to raise awareness. It’s equally vital that families are signposted towards the right support and organisations when they need it most.”

Karen Wint, Chief Executive at Sister Circle, said:

“Today, too many women and their partners continue to manage experiences of loss and trauma in silence and isolation. That is why we are partnering with TfL, who is committed to highlighting the support available from Sister Circle and other specialist organisations during this difficult journey. More must be done to recognise and support parents’ mental health.”

These groups man stalls and lead sessions on specific issues like inequality and loss.

Why the Baby on Board Badges Matter?

The Baby on Board badge, now 20 years old, and the new Babies on Board variant for multiples promote seat-offering on transport. Limited supply available at the event.

They symbolise TfL’s commitment to pregnant travellers and remind others to look up and assist.

What Practical Details Should Attendees Know?

Book via Eventbrite in advance; limited badges and rides subject to strong winds. Event at IFS Cloud Greenwich Peninsula, Edmund Halley Way, London SE10 0FR. Sensitive topics discussed; agenda may change.

Free cable car ride upon showing ticket.

How Does This Event Fit Broader Awareness Efforts?

By using the iconic cable car, TfL brings maternal mental health into public view during a week of national focus. Partners emphasise ongoing needs despite growing coverage.

The event underscores that support reaches families, communities, and society.