New peer supporters at NNUH

Breastfed your baby? Want to help other mums?
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will be working in partnership with NCT (National Childbirth Trust) and the Breastfeeding Network (BfN) in a new project to provide specially trained breastfeeding support volunteers to assist new mums on the postnatal ward.

The hospital aims to select a small team of volunteers who will be trained to a high standard and who will be confident and knowledgeable in supporting breastfeeding mothers.

Volunteers will be able to build their knowledge to support other mothers with breastfeeding.  They will receive an open college network accreditation and ongoing supervision after the course, plus training which will cover fire, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding children and adults. Travel reimbursement will be given when people volunteer on the ward.
 
Volunteers will also receive a place on the UNICEF standard two-day breastfeeding management course, delivered at NNUH by the Infant Feeding Co-ordinators, plus training and supervision worth £800 in total. 

Luis Lyons who is Infant feeding co-ordinator at NNUH, said:  “The volunteers will be  welcomed as part of the infant feeding team at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital”.
 
The training is scheduled to start in November and consists of 12 x 2 hour sessions on Saturday mornings at the NNUH. After the initial 12 week course volunteers will be invited to come for induction training and the UNICEF standard two-day breastfeeding course. 

Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of one year of volunteering in the hospital, commiting to volunteering for around 3-4 hours per week. This can be at any time/day to suit the volunteer and her family. 

Volunteers have the opportunity to commit to monthly supervision sessions after the course.  Ideally, the volunteer's baby should be over six months old.  
 
People who are are interested, should email the Voluntary Services department NNUH on:    volunteers@nnuh.nhs.uk with their name, contact number and address by Friday 13th September.  An application form will be sent by post and interviews will take place in October. 

Volunteers who are interested in becoming a peer supporter in the community rather than in hospital can contact Amanda Wagg, Infant Feeding Lead for Norfolk Community Heath and Care Trust via email: Amanda.Wagg@nchc.nhs.uk