Who are Mums for Lungs?

About us

We are an organisation of people across the UK campaigning for cleaner air to protect children’s health.

Mums for Lungs was established in Brixton, London in 2017, when a number of us were on parental leave. We became aware of the toxic levels of air pollution on the UK’s streets while walking around with our babies, and decided we wanted to do something about it.

We raise awareness of the health impacts of air pollution and champion effective solutions for tackling it.

Join Mums for Lungs

Image: Ruth Board

If you care about air pollution, you’ve come to the right place! Everyone is welcome - we began as mums on maternity leave and have grown to become a network for everyone.

Most of our volunteers have no specialist background in air pollution, and give as much or as little time as their lives allow. You don’t have to be a parent to get involved, and we have volunteers all over the country.

You’re welcome to join one of our virtual monthly meetings. We’re a friendly bunch and enjoy a good chat over a cup of tea or a glass of wine! We’re also very happy to chat and give advice over the phone – please contact us if you need help or support.

Find out more about getting involved
“Thank you Mums for Lungs, for showing us the way”
— James McAsh, Southwark Council Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste

What we do

Image: Sarah Pull

We raise awareness about the impacts of air pollution from the grassroots level all the way up to government ministers.

We support our volunteers to talk to their friends, family, neighbours and schools, to share free resources locally and to write to and meet their councillors and MPs.

A core part of our campaigning is writing to MPs, ministers and local councils, and responding to consultations on public policy.

We continue to push the Government for change and regularly organise click-to-email campaigns that make it easy for people to share their concerns about air pollution with policymakers.

We have a strong volunteer network all over the country, and are united in our commitment to deliver clean air for everyone - for our children and for future generations.

Our Campaigns

Core Members

We rely on an extensive network of volunteers, all of whom give up their spare time to spread the word about the dangers of air pollution.

  • Jemima Hartshorn

    Founder and Director

  • Jane Dutton

    Digital Communications Manager

  • Ruth Fitzharris

    Campaigns Assistant and Spokesperson

  • Liz Godfrey

    Manchester Co-ordinator

  • Sharon Erdman

    Volunteer Co-ordinator

  • Anna Lincoln

    Schools Lead

  • Kirsten de Vos

    Birmingham Spokesperson