Mothers know best: How 2 Filipina nurses built a mom community in London

Far from home, two Filipino mothers in London found strength in each other and turned it into a community for women learning to navigate motherhood together.

That is what Filipino mothers Marian Gureng and Mary Vergara set out to do when they built a support network for fellow moms in Barnet, London.

“We learned the importance of community, especially for mothers navigating parenthood away from family support,” Marian told Rappler. “Creating spaces where women feel heard, supported, and empowered can make a meaningful difference.”

Their initiative, The Mum Club, brought mothers together through meetups and social gatherings, offering a safe space for those dealing with loneliness, postnatal challenges, and the realities of raising children far from home.

Marian moved to the United Kingdom in 2012, while Mary migrated to London in 2016. Both married to Filipino spouses, they spent most of their lives in the Philippines before settling abroad.

Both women work as nurse managers. Marian, who earned her nursing degree at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, works at a world-renowned children’s hospital; while Mary, who was was born and raised in Lipa City and took up nursing at Lyceum of Batangas, works in the private healthcare sector.

Diverse community

The idea for The Mum Club began in January 2024, when Marian attended a brunch gathering for mothers outside Barnet. Inspired by its impact, she teamed up with Mary to create a similar space closer to their community.

Through the club, mothers can bring their children, share experiences, build relationships, and find encouragement in one another.

Conversations range from balancing careers and family life to postpartum struggles, mental well-being, and adjusting to life without extended family support.

Activities vary from brunches and coffee meetups to fitness sessions, walking groups, and even supper clubs, which offer mothers time to connect without their children.

The group has grown into a diverse community that includes women from various cultural backgrounds, including fellow Filipinos.

“We all have the same problems. We can just let our barriers down and talk about motherhood,” said Marian, a cancer survivor.

“For us, it starts with motherhood, but it’s really about empowering women and showing that we can do so much,” Mary added.

Filipino warmth, hospitality

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Barnet Council recognized them in its InspirationALL Awards this year, honoring them with a Highly Commended recognition in the Sports and Well-being category for the The Mum Club.

The recognition also opened doors for them to meet Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr., where they discussed ways to further support Filipino communities in the region.

“I think ‘success’ is a big word for us,” Mary said. “It’s just a local initiative run by two moms, creating events for other moms. But everything in motherhood feels monumental. With The Mum Club, we’re supporting women through those changes.”

For both Marian and Mary, their project reflects the Filipino spirit of warmth and hospitality, transcending nationalities and culture.

“All we want from this experience, which started almost accidentally, is to go out there and show what Filipinos can do,” Marian said.

At its core, The Mum Club represents not just a support group but also the strength of Filipino communities abroad, most of whom almost always show the power of showing up for one another.

“It’s also about breaking the idea that Filipinos quietly succeed,” Marian said. “We need to be loud and proud about what we can do. We feel humbled by the diverse backgrounds of the women who come to our events, who eventually become our friends and lifeline.”

“We’re not just representing Filipino women,” she added. “We’re representing Filipino mothers, and Filipinos everywhere. We can pursue whatever we set our minds to. It’s time we take center stage.” – Rappler.com