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Putting Parents First in Local Communities www.parents1st.org.uk Pregnancy Pals and Birth Buddies Promoting a healthy pregnancy, positive birth and confident parenting Celia Suppiah: Director of Parents 1st Lorna Stonestreet: Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Claire Downes: Service Manager, Pregnancy Pal and Birth Buddies Summary of Presentation • • • • • • • • Who we are and what we do The role of a Pregnancy Pal and Birth Buddy How the scheme was commissioned The journey of set-up and implementation Evidence-base, values and principles What do we mean by ‘peer support’? Insights into training and supervision processes What works best and how In Communities and by Communities Strengths in Communities CIC: A Social Enterprise for community benefit 2009 Strengths in Communities CIC Strengths in Communities In communities and by communities… local programmes delivered by local parents that impact on health, wellbeing, skills, reciprocity and trust Supporting organisations to implement effective and autonomous peer support programmes The Model: In the community By the community Primary & Secondary Prevention Early Intervention Promoting: Early parenting skills Healthy lifestyles Access to services ‘Community Development’ ‘Early Prevention’ ‘Capacity Building’ •Holistic approach: parenting, health and wellbeing •Cooperation for mutual benefit: respect and self-help •Working together •Building on strengths in communities •Moving away from dependency and fire fighting •Transfer of skills to local people: enhancing confidence, resilience, new knowledge, positive relationships and self esteem Peer Support Model • • • • • • • • Peer outreach: similar life / social / cultural experiences Informal and non-stigmatizing Concept of ‘give’ and ‘take’ Social networking Building trust Bridging the gap Advocacy for parents who are ‘wary’ of professionals Enabling easier access to services Peer Support complements professionals – doesn’t replace Commissioner Spec... NHS South West Essex: “The service will provide additional early intervention and preventative initiatives from early pregnancy to 6 weeks post-partum.” “The service will employ innovative, collaborative and integrated approaches with third sector providers to promote positive early parenting experiences, cohesive, empowered and active communities.” “Peer advocacy programmes will address health inequalities using community development approaches to engage with marginalised parents. For example: Doula programmes Fathers support programmes Relationship support programmes Peer Advocacy workers” Also funded by Thurrock Unitary Authority and Essex Local Authority Why is Focusing on Pregnancy, Birth and Post-birth so Important? (DH Preparing for Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond Team) A child’s early experience has a long lasting impact on the architecture of their brain and their behaviour and development Pregnancy and birth are a key time for change – parents have an instinctive drive to protect their young and want their child to be healthy and happy and do well in life There is scientific consensus that the origins of many adult diseases are often found in pregnancy and infancy There is evidence that effective preventive interventions in early life can produce significant cost savings and benefits in health, social care, educational achievement, economic productivity and responsible citizenship Literature and user research about current provision of antenatal support (DH PBB Team) Mothers and fathers said they want: • Timely information • They like groups • Want space to think about what it all means for their lives Parents go to friends and family first Reliance on professionals and the public sector Parents who can afford it – pay Neuroscience should be well understood, with programmes that focus on emotional change and the needs of the baby. Evidence and Experience Underpinning Implementation of PPs and BBs National Research Project of 10 UK Volunteer Community Parent Programmes Goodwin Development Trust Volunteer Doula Programme & DH Third Sector Investment Fund: Excellence Strand The Journey of Implementing Pregnancy Pals and Birth Buddies Programme in South West Essex... Aims of the Birth Buddy and Pregnancy Pal Programme To help parents-to-be to: • Have a positive experience throughout pregnancy and childbirth • Care well for themselves and their growing baby • Be ready for birth • Prepare for and feel confident as a parent so as to give their child the best start in life • Reduce inequalities Role Outline What does a Pregnancy Pal or Birth Buddy do? From early pregnancy to 6 weeks after the birth, the main role is to offer.. • Informal support • Useful information • Emotional and physical support during labour and birth (Birth Buddies only) • Assist parents to access other services For example... Meet them at a children’s centre or homeless hostel – help them to understand information and look after their own health Home visits Birth partner (Birth Buddies only) Go with the mother to antenatal appointments Assist with antenatal classes or fitness sessions Work alongside other agencies Encourage, listen, respect, build trust A Pregnancy Pal / Birth Buddy does not give any medical or clinical advice. During labour and birth, a Birth Buddy gives continuous emotional and physical support, and facilitates communication between the woman, her partner and professionals Recruiting Volunteers... Why Become a Pregnancy Pal / Birth Buddy Volunteer? Give and Take Approach... • Personally rewarding: be part of something vital for the future of a family • Enjoyable group learning experience • Building own confidence • Be involved in their community • Gaining a national qualification • Gaining valuable work experience • Being a voice for their community Volunteer Expenses Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed: • Travel • Childcare • Refreshments Training • Initial 6 session taster course (Nov + Jan) • 12 introductory sessions, tutorials and hospital visit before they start supporting • Then ongoing monthly and additional training sessions throughout their volunteering role Training: Overview of Topic Areas • Values and principles Embedded Throughout Training & Supervision... The process of effective support Using an empowerment model [Flip chart activity] Active Birth Training Accreditation City & Guilds Work with Parents Award (3599) – 3 units: • Building and maintaining trusting relationships • Effective communication skills • Valuing and respecting parents + Breastfeeding Support Skills (Open College Network Levels 2/3) Referrals • Pregnancy Pals offer early, preventative support • Birth Buddies are targeted,for example: • • • • • • • • • • • • Socially isolated Domestic violence Language and cultural barriers Misuse alcohol, drugs or substances Homeless Mental health issues Previous traumatic birth Want a vaginal birth after a caesarean section Previous stillbirth, neonatal death or a sudden infant death Previously suffered from postnatal depression Will be giving birth to an infant with additional needs Disability or medical condition that may impact on pregnancy, birth or early family life Supervision and Support Ongoing supervision and support for volunteers is critical e.g. health and safety whilst working as a volunteer, debriefing their experiences, child safeguarding, access to further advice