Health and wellbeing
Partnership event in the community celebrates World Breastfeeding Week
Published on
Families were welcomed at a celebration event this August to mark World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August).
Organised by Walsall Family Hubs along with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and the voluntary and community sector, the event took place on Tuesday 6 August at Nash Dom Community Hub in Palfrey.
Arts and crafts, maternal and baby massages and sling workshops were just some of the activities on offer for families to get involved in, as well as advice and information about breastfeeding, introduction to solid foods, the first 1,001 days of life and signposting to local services.
The event provided a friendly environment for families who were expecting a baby or had young children, offering support to boost confidence and the opportunity to enable parents give their babies the best start for life.
“ This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week was ‘closing the gap’ and it is important we all work together to promote and support breastfeeding for families in Walsall, ensuring they can access the services they need at the right place, right time. We were delighted to welcome families to this event, where they participated in a variety of activities and connected with local support services. Attendees reported increased confidence and knowledge, which is incredibly rewarding. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this event a success for our residents. “
“ We were delighted to attend the event, enabling families to learn more about the service we provide and resources available.
Breastfeeding mothers, familes and pregnant mothers had the opportunity to meet other moms from our Breastfeeding Peer Support Group too.
Thank you to the Nash Dom for providing the venue and for the warm welcome. “
Families can access support for infant feeding through Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s infant feeding service. The team is committed to enabling women to make informed choices for their baby and want all mums to feel supported and have the confidence to achieve their infant feeding goals. To contact the Infant Feeding team, call 01922 605 248 or find out more from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
At Walsall’s Family Hubs, drop-in breastfeeding peer support groups take place at the North Family Hub in Blakenall on Fridays from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Monthly workshops on introducing solid foods also take place at the hubs across the borough. Details of these sessions are available on the Walsall Family Hubs website.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
What are Family Hubs?
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Family Hubs offer a welcoming space where families can access advice and support from a range of services. The Hubs have been set up to support families with children aged 0-19 years, or 0-24 year-olds for those children with special educational needs and disabilities.
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With teams located in four locality hubs across the borough, a variety of services can be found all under one roof. These provide families with easier access to services and the right help at the right time.
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Practitioners include family support practitioners, health visitors, school nurses, early help police officers, domestic abuse support practitioners, mental health support and substance misuse support.
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The Council’s four Family Hubs are located at:
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North Family Hub - 275 Blakenall Lane, Blakenall, Walsall WS3 1HJ.
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West Family Hub - Ilmington House, Crescent Road, Wednesbury, WS10 8AE.
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South and Central Family Hub - Birchills Street, Walsall, WS2 8NG.
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East Family Hub - Silver Court, Walsall, WS8 6HA.
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There are also an additional 10 ‘community spokes’ based in voluntary and community buildings across the borough.
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To find out more information to access support from the Family hubs click on this link: What are Family Hubs and where is your nearest? | Walsall Council
