Our Name

The name Alternatives was chosen to highlight that, for those facing pregnancy-related challenges, we exist to provide alternatives. We provide an alternative to suffering alone; we provide an alternative to long or non-existent waiting lists for statutory counselling; we discuss the alternative options that are available to those facing a pregnancy-related crisis; and we provide alternatives to unaffordable maternity and baby items.


Our Mission

Our Mission is to offer life-changing emotional and practical support for anyone facing pregnancy-related challenges.

We fulfil our mission through the following day-to-day activities (please click on the headings below for further details and information about referrals):

Emotional Support:

Counselling for those facing any of the following challenges:

We have no lower or upper age limit for counselling. In practice, we support people from the age of puberty and upwards.

Our counselling services are offered to people living in and around Watford, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and the surrounding villages.

Practical Support:

  • Baby Boxes provide essential items for new-born babies arriving into families of limited financial means.

  • Pregnancy Testing

  • Our Shops provide affordable maternity and baby clothing equipment and items


Our Principles

  • We serve people regardless of race, colour or creed

  • We uphold freedom of choice

  • We are non-judgemental

  • We are confidential, trustworthy and professional

  • We are unconditionally supportive of those using our services

The principles of Alternatives reflect core elements of the Christian faith – the faith from which the charity was birthed. These values are shared by our staff and volunteers – Christian and otherwise. However, for clarity, we are not a member of a Christian denomination, nor affiliated to any political organisation, nor engaged with the ‘pro life’ or ‘pro choice’ debates.