Home-Start Volunteers join Aneurin Bevan Health Board and Acorn Project Breastfeeding Support Groups!

After becoming part of a partnership with the Aneurin Bevan Health Board and the Acorn Project, Home-Start Monmouth is now offering new Mothers the chance to participate in Breastfeeding Peer Support Drop in Groups, situated in Chepstow and Monmouth. The groups have been set up after two dedicated volunteers, Bobby and Aimee, took part in The National Childbirth Trust (NCT), and can now work as peer supporters for the groups. They offer informal, valuable advice to Mothers looking to breastfeed their new additions to the family.

The Drop-in Groups run in Monnow Vale Hospital (Wednesdays 12:30 – 2:30) and Burnt Barn Social Club (Mondays 1:30 – 3:30), and are a great chance for nervous or perhaps less experienced Mums to get peer support and health visitor advice, whilst being able to socialise with other Mums. They also offer demonstrations of nappy changing and a selection of baby slings to try out, as well as a vast collection of breastfeeding and early parenting books.

This move into Breastfeeding help is a brilliant chance to get vital information to Mums in need of a little help. Bobby, Peer Supporter for the Monmouth branch, says: 

“We welcome women at all stages of their breastfeeding journey - pregnant women building up a network of friends and support in advance, to those struggling to get breastfeeding started with a tiny new baby, right though to those who are happily breastfeeding their toddlers and beyond. What we like to offer is moral support and a shared experience!”

The drop in sessions are open to all! More information can be found on the groups facebook page:

www.facebook.com/ChepstowBreastfeedingPeerSupportGroup

We hope to see some of you there soon!  Spread the word, from the team at Home-Start Monmouth!

New Year, New Volunteers!

Home-start has kicked off the New Year with a fresh set of training courses for their volunteers. The preparation courses will be held at Bridge's Community Centre in Monmouth on weekends (to accommodate for the charities busy volunteers working part-time), and has plans to run courses in different parts of the county in the future.

The courses are a great way to increase volunteers confidence and knowledge, giving them an insight into the issues facing modern families. This fresh perspective and set of skills combined with the volunteers' own parenting skills will provide them with a solid foundation to build emotional and practical support for those struggling to cope.

The first of these training courses was held last weekend, and with recognisable success.  It allowed volunteers to get to know one another and the home-start team, as well as giving them the tools to prepare themselves to work productively with the charity.  Volunteers claimed it gave them the necessary experience to visit families, with positive comments such as :

“It was helpful to discuss real life stories.”

“I enjoyed new people and learning new things.”

“There was a lot more information than I expected... very helpful and informative!”

With ongoing training throughout the next few months, there is always something new to learn for the Home-start volunteers, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide a brilliant level of service to the home-start families.  Future courses promise to be just as engaging and informative as this one, so the team has a lot to look forward to!  For any more information about the charity, have a look at www.homestartmonmouthshire.org.uk ! 

Thanks to all that  took part! The Home-start Monmouthshire team.