We are pleased to announce the launch of ‘Bonding with Baby’, a support programme for families developed by three Hackney charities: Hackney Playbus, the Claudia Jones Organisation and Shoreditch Trust ‘Bump Buddies’, financed via the City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group’s Innovation fund, as part of their vulnerable women’s pathway.
The ‘Bonding with Baby’ programme will identify and engage with new mothers who face multiple problems that prevent them from easily accessing health and support services. The programme is focused on the development of the relationship between mother/carer and their child, in order to improve outcomes for child development and parental mental health. The groups will provide a supportive learning environment to help parents develop skills and confidence, reduce social isolation and provide space for parents to share experience and have practical discussions on health topics. Hackney Playbus will deliver the groups, with practical support and befriending provided by volunteers trained by the Shoreditch Trust and family and welfare rights support provided by the Claudia Jones Organisation.
Jane Lavelle, one of two Maternity Peer Education Managers at Bump Buddies, a project supporting vulnerable women during pregnancy, labour, and early motherhood, described how “we have been aware for a long time that mothers leaving Bump Buddies’ provision are rarely in a position to engage immediately and independently with universal services. For this reason we are delighted to collaborate with Hackney Playbus and the Claudia Jones Organisation to develop and deliver these Bonding with Baby groups, offering women continuity of support and more time to adapt to their new roles as parents”
Dr Kirsten Brown, Chair of City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group’s Maternity Services Board supported the programme explaining that the “City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group are committed to funding services that deliver the best possible outcomes for women and their children. The Bonding with Baby initiative is an example of the kind of high-quality, community-based service that can be provided when the needs of patients are listened and responded to.“
The groups are currently planned at the following locations across the borough: Well St Family Centre, E9, Ivy Street Family Centre, in Hoxton N1, Pembury estate E5, Redmond Centre on Woodberry Down estate N4, and the Claudia Jones Organisation, N16. Attendance will be by referral or self referral. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. Please see the Hackney Playbus website for updates and more details www.hackneyplaybus.org
