Return to work with a new network of support
Join a Branch cohort for women returning from maternity leave.
Returning to work after maternity leave is one of the most complex transitions in your professional life. Branch creates space to navigate this shift thoughtfully, alongside other women doing the same.
Join a Branch return-to-work cohort – a professional group for women navigating the transition
How it worksConnect with women returning to work at the same time
Each cohort brings together a group of women returning from maternity leave. You’ll connect in pairs and small groups to support one another and create new relationships for this next chapter.
Navigate the transition with confidence and clarity
Over five sessions, Branch facilitators guide you through conversations and practical tools. We cover everything from managing expectations and boundaries to rebuilding career confidence.
Join a network of women building careers and families
Your cohort is just the beginning of your Branch membership. You’ll join a growing alumni network of women who have navigated this transition and continue to support one another.
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Five weekly sessions led by a Branch facilitator. Cover everything from setting boundaries to reconnecting with your core values
~1 hour per week diary commitment
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Your go-to guide through the practical and emotional side of returning to work. From dealing with overwhelm to flexible working, it's everything we wish someone had given us before we returned to work.
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Stay connected with your cohort as you continue your transition. Branch provides a peer group that complements your other parent networks, with one crucial difference: everyone's also figuring out who they are at work.
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We facilitate 1:1 introductions across the cohort and wider network. Our members find huge value in using Branch to connect with women in similar roles and industries.
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Branch membership connects you to a wider network of women building careers and families through our directory and member events.
What the experience looks like
A five-week remote journey with a Branch facilitator, guiding you through our playbook for returning to work with confidence.
Member TestimonialBranch made me feel understood and gave me a wonderful network of women in similar stages of life. Would thoroughly recommend to anyone returning to work after maternity leave.
— Dominique Evans, Head of Supplier Insights, Dunnhumby
Return cohorts
For women returning to work after maternity leave.
When
13th April to 15th May 2026
Online sessions held on Thursday lunchtimes
When
22nd June to 24th July 2026
Online sessions held on Thursday lunchtimes
When
21st September to 23rd October 2026
Online sessions held on Thursday lunchtimes
Frequently Asked Questions
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Branch is for career-minded women navigating the transition into working motherhood.
Our members care deeply about their work and want to continue building meaningful careers while starting or growing their families.
Women join from a wide range of industries, including consulting, law, technology, finance, media, government and startups.
What they share is a desire to build both a career and a family with intention.
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You can join at either transition point:
Antenatal cohorts are designed for women in the months leading up to maternity leave.
Return-to-work cohorts are for women about to return to work or within the first six months of being back.
If you’re slightly outside these windows but feel the programme would be valuable, you’re very welcome to join.
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Yes! Branch cohorts are fully remote, so women can join from anywhere.
Sessions are designed to fit around working schedules and parental leave, and many members join from across the UK and internationally.
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Each cohort runs for five weeks, with one ~60-minute online session per week, usually held at lunchtime.
Alongside the live sessions, there are a few light-touch ways to stay engaged with the cohort:
A WhatsApp group for informal conversation and support between sessions
Short themed playbook content shared by email each week
Opportunities to connect with other members in your cohort
There’s no expectation to do everything. The aim is to create a supportive rhythm across the five weeks, without adding pressure to an already busy stage of life.
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Branch cohorts are led by experienced facilitators who have first-hand experience of returning to their careers after maternity leave.
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The majority of members have their place funded by their employer as part of professional development or parental leave support.
If helpful, we can provide information you can share with your organisation.
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The Member Directory helps Branch members discover and connect with one another.
You can use it to find women across industries, roles and locations within the community. The network can help whether you’re looking for advice, collaboration, or simply to meet others on a similar journey.
If you prefer not to be listed, you can leave the directory at any time.
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Yes, members can choose to join both transition cohorts.
You can sign up for both at a combined rate. If you have previously joined a Branch cohort, we can also offer an equivalent discount for returning members.
Just contact us, and we’ll share the details.
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We include more information about this in our funding guide.
For people who cannot secure employer funding, we can offer a reduced rate. Please contact us to find out more.