AN inspirational Weymouth mum whose mental illness has encouraged her to help others will be the focus of a documentary.

Louise Scattergood, 22, set up a group called Cuckoos where mothers struggling with mental illness can meet in a relaxed and informal atmosphere to talk about their experiences.

The idea came to Louise when she first had her child who was placed on a protection plan because Louise's anxiety meant she couldn't attend baby groups.

She said: “The thought of them [baby groups] made me feel sick with anxiety and could trigger elements of my psychosis which is really quite scary.

“I spoke about it to some friends and they said they had the same reaction to baby groups. It can be terrifying to vulnerable people but certain professionals will not take no for an answer and threaten to take further action against the mother.”

The group does not allow healthcare professionals to attend.

Louise said: “One of the aims of the group is to provide a safe place where vulnerable mums can relax and be themselves, and not feel threatened, isolated, or inadequate.”

The Channel 4 documentary which airs this month will focus on five mums, including Louise, battling pregnancy and child birth while struggling with a mental illness.

The documentary allowed Louise to speak out about a subject that means a lot to her.

She said: “I mostly talk about the challenges facing mothers with mental illness, a severe problem that is not addressed correctly through the country; hence why I am so passionate about the group.

"For some people it's all they have.”

Louise had her baby on December 1 last year and has now been running the group for five weeks as a consequence of the film.

She said: “I found it extremely difficult dealing with a child protection plan and my illness. I felt alone, isolated, worthless, out of touch with reality. I would have done anything to have just one friend who understood who I could talk to and trust.

“And that's it really, the idea grew from there, my own experience. I don't want anyone to suffer in the way I did, and a gathering with kindred spirits once a week can make all the difference.”

One of the mums that attends the group, Lee Pritchard, has suffered from anxiety and depression in the past.

She said: “It’s given me something to do; helped me to get out of the house. It gives me purpose, something I have to come and take part in."

The documentary is due to air at the end of March.