App Aims to Build Local Communities
On 4th May, more than 100 mothers gathered under the paperbark trees of Centennial Park to celebrate the launch of Villagehood. This new community-focused app aims to help mothers find their ‘village’ in real life, addressing the loneliness that 80-90% of new mothers report experiencing. Developed by siblings Brittany Bloomer and Baron Bloomer, Villagehood prioritises real-life connections over digital interactions.
Woollahra Mayor Sarah Swan opened the event, emphasizing the importance of community for modern mothers. She celebrated the launch of a platform designed to support this need. Brittany Bloomer, who is also the founder of the Australian charity Pound Paws, expressed, “We’re seeing such a strong return to real-life connection. For mothers, this isn’t just a trend, it’s essential.”
Event Highlights at Centennial Park
The launch event featured various zones, including a nourishment area where Nourishing Bubs served organic meals for toddlers. Mothers could also enjoy a styling space provided by Lenelly The Label, offering personal styling tailored to postpartum bodies. The event aimed to create a nurturing and welcoming environment for all attendees.
A standout feature of the event was a partnership between Nuna Baby and Sydney BMW, which gifted fresh flower bouquets to mothers. Complimentary baby car seat checks were provided by Baby and Car & Sydney Mini Cooper. For children, a dedicated Kids Play Space hosted by Blossoms Play offered gentle, sensory-based activities. Meanwhile, a calming sanctuary within the village provided sound healing sessions by Bess, offering mothers a moment of peace.
Villagehood was developed with input from over 1,000 mothers during its beta testing phase. The app facilitates local connections through a geo-based platform, encouraging mothers to discover others nearby, join or host meet-ups, and participate in events such as coffee catch-ups and picnics. The app features real-time meet-ups, pram walks, and shared experiences in local neighborhoods, aiming to create a supportive network for mothers.
The app is available for download on both the App Store and Google Play, aiming to provide a supportive network for mothers across Australia. The official launch event embodied the app’s mission by bringing together mothers to connect, share experiences, and build a community.
