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Can you help new mums in Widnes and Runcorn?

Posted by Elaine Hanzak on 29 Sep 2017 / 0 Comment

The NCT are piloting a great peer support scheme to help new mums in three UK areas. One is close to me in Halton (Widnes and Runcorn) in Cheshire. They are looking for women to help. Could this be you?

Volunteers:

Have lived experience of perinatal mental health challenge, e.g.

Ante and/or postnatal

Diagnosed or retrospective identification

Mild – severe

Are from the local community – or willing to travel to Halton
Aged 18y+
Are well
Are interested, passionate about supporting others
Can undertake 30h of face to face training plus safeguarding training
Can commit at least 2h per week post training

The training:

Accredited by the Open College Network at Level 2 (= 1 x GCSE equivalent)
Made up of three modules:
Birth and Beyond Community Support (3 credits)
Perinatal mental health (1 credit)
Group hosting (1 credit)
30h face to face training time plus ‘toe in the water’ session
Key skills in active listening, strengths-based enquiry, boundaries, open questions, mental health awareness, group dynamics etc.
Group monthly reflective support including clinical supervision, ad hoc professional debrief, training opportunities.

Safety and support:

DBS checks
Safeguarding training and pathway
Risk assessments
Lone working policy
Clinical support for staff and volunteers
Are women well themselves
Support when issues arise from supporting others
Group work in pairs

Referral and delivery:

Referral only – HCP or self
Delivery being centred around Children’s Centres and existing groups in the locality
Groups hosted in pairs
1:1 peer matched support to come later
Links to crisis support and local PMH service where it exists

If you feel that this is something you could help with, please contact

Catherine Briars

Service Delivery Manager – Parents in Mind (Widnes and Runcorn)

07702 900 894 or email Catherine.Briars@nct.org.uk

This scheme is one I want to support as this was where I lived when I was so ill. I want to prevent others new mums walking the streets, potentially suicidal, as I did.

Would can you forward this to if it is not something you are able to do?

Best wishes

Elaine