Supporting Breastfeeding in Lanarkshire
Who are Community Mothers ?
Community Mothers is an evaluated breastfeeding support programme involving local women who, as volunteers, provide support and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers within their own communities.
The women are registered volunteers with NHS Lanarkshire and are recruited, trained and supported by midwives who co-ordinate the programme.
The first Community Mothers Programme (CMP) was set up in North Lanarkshire (2002) in partnership with Sure Start, North Lanarkshire Council. In 2006, Changing Places Community Regeneration Partnership supported a second CMP for regeneration areas in South Lanarkshire. A similar CMP operates in East Kilbride.
Lanarkshire has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates of any other council area in Scotland and some areas are less than the Scottish average.
Targetting areas of low uptake for breastfeeding is a key objective of the Lanarkshire Breastfeeding Strategy and the CMP is one of a number of initiatives in place to ensure that more mothers and babies experience the full benefits of breastfeeding.
Aims
- Contribute to improving the uptake and continuation rates for breastfeeding in targetted areas of Lanarkshire.
- Maximise the potential of volunteers in terms of lifelong learning.
How will we do this ?
- Provide breastfeeding information to pregnant women at ante-natal clinics and Breastfeeding Workshops (breastfeeding educational classes).
- Support new breastfeeding mothers in the Maternity Unit at Wishaw General Hospital.
- Provide ongoing support to mothers following discharge home from hospital - either at home or being a friendly voice of encouragement over the phone.
- Support mothers with their breastfeeding at local community Breastfeeding Support Groups.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of breastfeeding awareness in their own community e.g. in schools, breastfeeding groups and community events, with the project team and other health professionals.
- Following initial training, provide additional learning opportunities for volunteers.
Comments from Breastfeeding Mums about the Support they received from Community Mothers
"Without the support I wouldn’t have persevered, I would have given up."
"I liked the support; I would recommend it to a friend."
"It’s a really good project. It didn’t work out for me but that wasn't because of the project (volunteers). If I have another baby I’ll get in contact with them again."
Becoming a Community Mother
Potential volunteers should :
- Have breastfed themselves for at least three months.
- Undertake a Volunteer Scotland check.
What training is involved ?
The CMP team provide breastfeeding skills training which is based on major elements of the Unicef Baby Friendly Breastfeeding Management Course. The training programme is delivered over eight half-day sessions in community venues and crèche facilities are provided.
The training programme includes:
- Why breastfeeding is important
- How breastfeeding works
- Recognising breastfeeding challenges—and helping a mother overcome these
- Communication skills
- Personal safety and assertiveness skills
- Presentation skills
- Health and Safety including Infection Control
Following completion of the training (participants must have at least 80% attendance), volunteers undergo a period of supervised volunteering with midwives from the Project Team.
This involves speaking to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers in a variety of settings including ante-natal clinics, Wishaw maternity hospital, the mother’s home, Breastfeeding Support Groups, Breastfeeding Workshops or on the phone.
Volunteers are registered with NHS Lanarkshire and are required to complete a Volunteer Agreement.
Volunteer Comments
"Training...it wasn't like a classroom; it was like a discussion, kind of informal. It was learning without realising it."
Volunteer Commitment
As a volunteer you give as much or as little time as you feel you are able to - there is no pressure. However there would be a requirement for you to attend regular volunteer meetings, which include educational updates with the Project Team approximately every 4-6 weeks.
Expenses
Out of pocket expenses during volunteering time will be reimbursed e.g. travel expenses will be paid at public transport rate (23p per mile) and if required, childcare costs of £2.50 per hour for the first child and £1.50 per hour for subsequent children. Transport can also be arranged for volunteers where necessary.
The Community Mothers Programme Teams
Co-ordinators are responsible for the day-to-day running of the project as well as the training and ongoing support of the volunteers and are assisted in this by project assistants.
If you would like to know more about how Community Mothers can support you with breastfeeding we would be delighted to hear from you. Contact us at:
Community Mothers North
Law House
Airdrie Road
Carluke
ML8 5ER
Tel: 01698 377 655
Community Mothers South
Changing Places
Unit 1A,
Clydeview Centre
Blantyre
G72 0QD
Tel: 01698 714 958
If you are interested in becoming a Community Mother Volunteer...
We would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the Project Team, your Health Visitor or midwife for a Volunteer Application Form.
Return the completed form, including two names of people who will provide a character reference for you and post back to us.
One of the Project Team will contact you to arrange an informal pre-registration interview.