Volunteers wanted to help support new breastfeeding mums

If you have breastfed your baby and you want to help other new mums then the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has an opportunity for you.

The hospital needs more volunteers to add to their successful peer support group that works on the postnatal ward in the maternity department.

There is training available to a high standard and a commitment to volunteering for a minimum of four hours a month. The training is scheduled to start 19^th December on Saturdays and consists of 5 x 4 hour sessions into January from 10am-2pm .  After the initial course you will be invited to come for Induction training and the UNICEF standard 2 day breastfeeding course delivered by the hospital’s Infant Feeding Co-ordinator Luisa Lyons.

After that there will be ongoing supervision sessions a minimum of six times a year and you can commit to volunteering for around 4 hours per month minimum. This can be at any time of day to suit you and your family, including nights or weekends.

One new mum said “.  I was introduced to a lovely lady who was a breast feeding peer supporter.  We had a chat about how I felt feeding was going and I really felt as though I could be honest with her.  She wasn’t in a hurry and spent lots of time talking me through different techniques to try and even waited to watch me feed so she could observe and give advice.  She was non-judgemental, easy to talk to and left me feeling as though I WAS able to feed my baby!  “

Your baby should be over six months old ideally and you have breastfed (whether exclusively or partially) for six months or more.

If you are interested, please email the Voluntary Services department at NNUHFT volunteers@nnuh.nhs.uk with your name, contact number and address  by Friday 13^th November. You will be sent an application form by post or email which needs to be completed and returned to Natasha Easter, peer support co-ordinator natasha.easter@nnuh.nhs.uk by Sunday 15^th November (ideally by email). Successful applicants will be invited to interview on 1^st December 2015 at NNUH