Mothers*Story Circle Berlin 

A Safe Space for Mothers* to Share and Connect in Berlin

Talking about our challenges as a mother* is not easy and often frowned upon.

Not all motherhood* moments are surrounded by this beautiful glow as is portrayed in typical motherhood* imagery.

Come and exchange with a group of immigrant, international, or foreign moms*, part of a multicultural and possibly multilingual family, away from home, just like you!

Topics are often around the complex web of physical, emotional and psychological changes motherhood* brings to our lives. As a visual artist, I will sometimes be using my current work "Good Enough" to open up and facilitate the conversation. "Good Enough" consists of interviews and photographs about immigrant mothers* in Germany suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorder - PMADs.

Sessions could include a brief presentation of what matrescence and PMADs are about, a discussion and group sharing experiences using the photographs to illustrate the challenges we are facing as mothers*.

Several themes may be discussed, depending on your current needs, such as: Multiple Conflicting Identities as FLINTA*- mother*- partner - stay-at-home - worker, Relationships & Sharing the Load, Body Changes: the physicality of being a mother*, Motherhood*: a full spectrum of emotions, Intrusive Thoughts, Coping Mechanisms, Mom's*  Guilt, Mom's* Competition, Expectations and Pressures, Self-Care...

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you as a peer at:

Einhorn Familienzentrum - Fredersdorfer Str. 10, 10243 Berlin.

Please note: This group will be conducted in English and is open to anyone who considers themselves a mother* or primary caretaker of all age children regardless of gender identity or family structure who would like to share their stories and experiences in a safe space.

Disclaimer: The circle is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. We are a peer to peer support group and a hub to connect you with healthcare professionals and other service providers around pregnancy and motherhood*. We do not handle psychiatric emergencies.

About our facilitator

The group is facilitated by immigrant mother*, Johanna Lennon.

Her role is to facilitate the conversation and ensure the safety of the group.

Johanna is a French interdisciplinary visual storyteller and artist working with photographs, interview recordings, vernacular objects, and ceramic sculptures. Born in Marseille with Greek and Italian roots, she now lives in Berlin with her family. She has been a long-term member of Afloat almost since its beginning.

With a background in commercial narrative work and project management for luxury brands, and experience living in Shanghai, London, and Paris, she brings a unique perspective to her approach to visual language. Her work explores the intersections of intimacy, psychological, emotional, and bodily transformation, and the universality of human experience. Through image, voice, and objects, she creates bridges across cultures, classes, and identities, fostering connection and dialogue that celebrate our shared humanity.

Her most recent work delves into the complexity and transformations of immigrant individuals with FLINTA* identities, particularly in the context of motherhood*. She creates narrative portraits, collects everyday objects, and records audio memories to amplify voices often unheard. In her ceramic practice, she shapes organic Mother*-Goddess forms that symbolise birth, metamorphosis, and the passage of time.

Her projects aim to dismantle stereotypes and empower marginalised communities through open exchange and genuine representation.

Johanna uses her photographs, the rich and intimate exchanges she had with mothers*, and interviews as conversation starters to create a safe space of reciprocity for mothers* to share and help them navigate their often unspoken challenges. She is convinced of how her work can help mothers* experiencing PMADs to recognise that they are not alone and encourage those who, for now, remain in the shadows, to open up. Her goal is also to educate the population at large as well as facilitate a broader and more accurate dialogue around the image of motherhood* and womanhood*.

Contact: For questions, please email Johanna at afloatberlin@gmail.com.

Here’s how it works

We meet in-person every first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in Einhorn Familienzentrum - Fredersdorfer Str. 10, 10243 Berlin

• We come together through food and drinks. Johanna is, first and foremost, Mediterranean!

• This is your time. Come as you are, and let our facilitator offer you a warm, welcoming space.

• The circle may last into the evening, depending on the group’s energy. You are welcome to stay as long as you like or leave earlier if needed. Participation is always flexible.

• The group language is English.

• A donation in the amount of 8€ is suggested for those who are able to contribute financially. Afloat requires donations to cover the costs of running our groups so your help is crucial to keep us going. Thank you so much for your help. Please remember that your donation is tax-deductible in Germany and offers financial benefits. Donation Receipts are available upon request via email. The group is open and welcomes everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

Registration Process

After completing the form below, you will be invited to book your session(s) via our Afloat Scheduling Tool on Calendly. This final step is essential, as it allows Johanna to prepare for the session effectively.

You are joining a monthly drop-in in-person support group. These groups are peer-led, flexible, and open to new participants throughout the year. Each session stands on its own, and you are welcome to attend regularly or occasionally, depending on your needs and availability.

While there is no long-term commitment, booking your session in advance is required. You may book multiple sessions at once by browsing through the calendar month by month.

Think of it like joining a gym: filling out the form is becoming a member, but booking your session is signing up for the actual yoga class. This is the only way to attend.

We appreciate your understanding that sessions may need to be cancelled if only one participant is enrolled, as peer interaction is essential to the group experience.

It is proven that a scheduled session adds a layer of accountability. Having the group in your calendar increases the chances of showing up, especially when it feels most difficult. Those are often the moments when connection matters most.

By booking your session(s) on Calendly, you will receive email reminders and updates ahead of each session. If you don’t see them, please check your spam or junk folder.

Questions?

Feel free to contact Johanna at afloatberlin@gmail.com.

Would you like to support us?

Please donate. Help sustain our work.

You can donate once or, even better, join our community of monthly supporters. Monthly contributions are essential as they enable us to maintain and grow the ongoing support groups our community relies on. If you can, please become a monthly donor. Your support truly makes a difference. Thank you.

Afloat depends on your generosity to keep our groups running.

For less than the cost of a Netflix binge or Spotify playlist, you can support a mom* in need every month:

• 8€ / month = Afloat e.V. stays afloat.**

• 25€ / month = Full Cost of 1 Support Group Session.**

• 45€ / month = Enable a mom to call our Warmline and receive support.**

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**Your donation funds your chosen project or urgent needs within Afloat’s mission. We honour your donation choice. If a project is fully funded or urgent needs arise elsewhere, we may reallocate donations in line with Afloat e.V.’s mission. Your support helps us care where it’s needed most. Thank you for your trust. Please note that, as these are donations, we do not issue refunds if you cancel your attendance to a support group or a session. A donation receipt for tax purposes can be requested via email to hello@afloatgermany.org. All groups are open and welcome everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

Join us and make lasting connections!

IMPORTANT! Please fill out the registration form below to indicate your interest in the group. Once submitted, you will be redirected to a confirmation page with the next step, booking your session(s) via our Afloat Scheduling Tool (Calendly). Your registration is only complete once you have booked your session(s). If you are not redirected, please check that all required fields have been filled in correctly. Thank you!

Think of it like joining a gym: filling out the registration form is like becoming a gym member, but using Calendly is how you sign up for the actual yoga class and secure your spot. Thank you!