Continuing to grow, connect, and support
The third quarter of 2025 has been both momentous and deeply moving for Pregnancy Sickness Support. From supporting record numbers of people, to expanding partnerships, to strengthening our voice in national research and policy, it’s been a quarter of growth, learning, and impact.
We were especially proud to announce Afshan Azad as our new Charity Ambassador, helping us to reach more women and birthing people and raise awareness within the Muslim community. We also marked the launch of our Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) partnership with NGM Bio on their clinical trial into a potential new treatment for HG — a milestone for the HG community.
Helpline and Support
This quarter we supported 565 people (compared to 736 during Q3 last year).
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195 new contacts in August — our busiest month since changing the way people get in touch
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The online contact form remains the most popular way to reach us, with 315 using this method
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More people also called our helpline, with 200 new phone contacts, compared to 171 in Q1 and 115 in Q2
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The team spent 101 hours on the phone between July and September
Feedback shows the difference this makes:
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38 people said our support and information helped improve their symptoms
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11 people said our support influenced their decision to continue their pregnancy
“Being able to receive reliable information about HG and treatment options, as well as guidance on how to navigate the medical system and emotional support from people with experience of HG, has been game-changing. PSS has helped me through one of the darkest periods of my life and given my pregnancy hope.”
Impact Campaigns and Driving Change
This quarter, our advocacy and partnership work has gone from strength to strength. We were proud to attend the NGM Bio dinner in London, joining Professor Stephen O’Rahilly, Emerald Study partners, and other PSS staff to mark the progress of the HG clinical trial. We also continue to use Clear Voice translation services, ensuring that a non-English speaking service users can access the same level of support as anyone else.
Our involvement in Costello Medical’s pro-bono research on mental health pathways for HG sufferers has continued, alongside all staff completing Domestic Abuse training to better equip us for sensitive situations. On the advocacy front, we have been in communication with both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Medicines Consortium regarding the availability of Xonvea, with significant progress to report: the medication is now included on formularies in Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, Humber and North Yorkshire. Work in Dorset is still ongoing.
We’ve also expanded our network of connections this quarter, building or strengthening relationships with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Pregnant & Protected, Friends, Families & Travellers, Ashford & St Peter’s Hospital Trust, and the Shropshire & Telford NHS Trust MNVP. These partnerships not only broaden our reach but also reinforce the collective effort to improve care and support for those with HG.
Partnerships and Training
Our training work continues to play a vital role in shaping better care for people with HG. In Q3, we trained 123 healthcare professionals, ranging from GPs to ambulance teams, ensuring that awareness and understanding of HG reaches those on the frontline.
We delivered the first of three Exeltis-funded HG in Primary Care sessions, designed to improve how GPs recognise and manage HG. We also launched our training programme with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the first of five planned sessions, and were delighted to receive an average rating of 4.9 out of 5. The difference in knowledge was striking, with participants’ understanding of HG rising from 3.91 out of 10 before the workshop to 8.73 afterwards.
Our Holding Space for HG Training for Counsellors achieved CPD accreditation this quarter, allowing us to further professionalise and expand access to trauma-informed training. Team members also contributed at the Urgent Care Conference in Milton Keynes and joined a virtual meet-up with the Women’s Health Wales Coalition, helping us ensure HG is part of wider conversations on women’s health and urgent care.
“I now have a better understanding of anti-emetic medications used for HG and the best practice guidelines from RCOG to signpost GPs to. I also have increased knowledge of the charity and what services they offer to support women with HG emotionally.”
Our counselling service has continued to provide vital support, with 112 sessions delivered this quarter and, importantly, no waiting lists. Every single person who gave feedback told us that counselling had been helpful, and 100% said they would recommend the service to others.
A key milestone this quarter was the completion of our first Post-Termination Therapeutic Support Group, attended by eight women. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants giving an average rating of 9.67 out of 10. Many spoke about how the group gave them space to process grief and find new perspectives on their experience.
This kind of feedback reinforces why our counselling service is so essential.
Peer Support
Peer support continues to be a lifeline for so many in our community. In Q3, we made 134 peer support matches, connecting people with trained volunteers who truly understand what it means to live through HG.
Our volunteer base also grew this quarter, with nine new volunteers completing their training and a total of 54 signing up so far this year. Each volunteer brings not only their lived experience but also their compassion and dedication to walking alongside others at their most difficult moments.
We also delivered our incredible in-person Summer Volunteer Conference which you can read about here!
Fundraising
Q3 was very much a quarter of stewardship and supporter care, laying the foundations for an exciting year ahead. We were thrilled to confirm that all of our Spring 2026 fundraising events are already filled, showing the strength and commitment of our community.
The Swim Serpentine event proved to be a real highlight, exceeding expectations and raising twice as much as in 2024. Alongside this, we celebrated both our highest-ever independent fundraiser and our fastest fundraiser to reach £1,000, all achieved in this quarter alone.
These successes not only provide vital funds to sustain our services but also demonstrate the incredible energy and creativity of our supporters. Every challenge taken on, every mile swum, and every pound raised brings us closer to ensuring that no one faces HG without understanding and support.
Conclusion
This quarter has shown the many ways PSS is continuing to grow — from expanding our reach through new ambassadors and clinical trial partnerships, to strengthening the support we provide through counselling, peer connections, and training. We’ve seen more people come to us for help than ever before, and we’ve built new collaborations that will carry our advocacy further into 2026 and beyond.
As always, none of this would be possible without our volunteers, fundraisers, donors, and partners. Your commitment ensures that people facing HG are not left isolated, but are met with understanding, expertise, and hope.
Charlotte Howden, CEO, Pregnancy Sickness Support
