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.

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Join a Branch return-to-work cohort – a professional group for women navigating the transition 

How it works

Connect 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 1-hour workshops, Branch facilitators guide you through conversations and practical tools. We cover everything from boundaries to rebuilding career confidence.

Join a network of women building careers and families

After completing the cohort you will join a growing alumni network of women who have navigated this transition and continue to support one another.

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.

  • Five workshops led by a Branch facilitator. Cover everything from setting boundaries to reconnecting with your core values

    ~1 hour per week diary commitment

  • Your go-to guide through the practical and emotional side of returning to work. We cover five core themes with content and exercises: Transition, Identity, Confidence, Boundaries & Ambition.

  • Stay connected with your cohort as you continue your transition. Branch provides a peer group that complements your other parent networks.

  • We facilitate 1:1 connections across the cohort and wider network. Our members find huge value in using Branch to connect with women in similar roles and industries.

  • Branch connects you to a wider network of women building careers and families through our directory and member events.

Upcoming cohorts:

If you would like to join a cohort, please complete our enquiry form and we can share details with you.

Branch Return-to-work Cohort: Summer 2026

22nd June - July 24th

Branch Return-to-work Cohort: Autumn 2026

21st September - October 23rd

Branch Return-to-work Cohort: Winter 2027

11th January - 12th February 2027

Join a growing network of professional women navigating the transition into working motherhood.

Branch Participants

Women have joined us from organisations including:

Amazon Arup Baker McKenzie BCG Channel 3 Consulting Coty CUBE Department of Business and Trade dunnhumby Edelman Elvie Expedia Financial Times GoCardless Google Lego Money Supermarket Moore Kingston Smith Octopus Electric Vehicles Russell Cooke Schillings Starling Bank Tesco Thomson Reuters Uber UK Statistics Authority Vodafone Wilkie Farr & Gallagher

Branch 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, Head of Supplier Insights, Dunnhumby

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • Women typically join in the first 0-9 months of their return. You can also join in advance and request that the time be logged as a KIT day.

    If you fall outside these times, please let us know and we can advise.

  • Yes! Branch cohorts are 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.

  • 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.

  • Branch cohorts are led by experienced facilitators and Branch Founders who have first-hand experience of returning to their careers after maternity leave.

  • Joining our Return Cohorts costs £495 + VAT. The majority of women secure employer funding, and we can provide a guide to help.

    Reduced-rate places are available for women unable to access employer funding. Please enquire and we can help.

  • The majority of members have their place funded by their employer as part of professional development or parental leave support.

    Please enquire, we can provide information you can share with your organisation.

  • We include more information about this in our funding guide, please enquire and we can share this with you.

    For people who cannot secure employer funding, we can offer a reduced rate. Please contact us to find out more.