New group in Mansfield Woodhouse to help mothers breastfeed

Sixteen volunteers, known as breastfeeding peer supporters, have been trained for the past 10 weeks to enable them to offer support and advice to new breastfeeding mums in the area.

Telephone support will be provided after new mums are discharged from hospital after giving birth and additional help will be offered through NHS BABES groups, which are offered in every children’s centre in the district.

A celebration was held to mark the completion of training for the 16 volunteers at the Mansfield Woodhouse Children’s Centre.

The training has been delivered by children’s centre staff and health workers from the local area. The newly trained volunteers will receive a qualification as part of completing their training.

Marie Townrow, breastfeeding district lead for Family Action, said: “The volunteers will make a great difference to the support available for breastfeeding mums in the Mansfield area. It is great to see so many mums sharing their own breastfeeding experiences, and putting this into practice to helping others.”

Family Action has been a service provider to the disadvantaged and socially-isolated families since 1869. Working with thousands of children and families a year by providing practical, emotional and financial support through more than 100 services across the country.

For more information about becoming a Volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, please contact Marie Townrow on 01623 847766.