We have been going to playgroup for 2 years now and tbh it has taken me a full 18 months to get comfortable there. I aslo went with friends so it was not as if I didn't have anyone to talk to etc.

Now after having 2 kids I love it. It is a sanity saver for me and a place for the kids to have some cheap fun.

I could imagine how hard it would be to join a new group without having anyone else there to support and welcome you. Last year we seemed to have set groups within the community and it felt a bit like school with the in and out group. To new mums the whole experience seemed very daunting and a lot did not come back. Now we have people dedicated to welcoming new mums and bubs and it seems to have worked.