Empowering Mothers and Little Ones: Development and Preliminary Evaluation of the EMALO Group

This report presents the first formal evaluation of A Brave Life's EMALO (Empowering Mothers and Little Ones) Mothers Group, a free 10-week strengths-based program for young and vulnerable mothers in South-East Queensland. Drawing on survey data from 40 participants and semi-structured interviews with 12 mothers, four guest presenters, and two facilitators, the evaluation found significant improvements in psychological distress, stigma coping, and parenting self-efficacy following participation. Descriptive increases in willingness to seek help from formal services, including GPs and mental health professionals, and in trust in healthcare providers, suggest the program may also support broader healthcare engagement. Qualitative findings identified six themes describing participants' experiences, including normalisation, growing confidence, and trust in facilitators as lived-experience guides. Findings support the continuation and expansion of EMALO as an evidence-informed, low-threshold support service for young and vulnerable mothers.