We’re so proud of our breastfeeding peer supporters and the invaluable support they continue to provide women during the pandemic. Here we showcase projects and volunteers in Scotland and Southampton to celebrate what they’ve been doing
Through a commissioned service with Southampton City Council, NCT provides two weekly Baby Cafés, the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme, a home visiting service and breastfeeding peer supporter training.
“In Southampton, we are very proud to have one peer supporter, Sally Matthews, still regularly volunteering with us from our first cohort of training in 2014!” says Sara Piggott, NCT Commissioned Services, Southampton.
“Sally is a grandmother and an inspiration to any grandparents who might want to train as a peer supporter.”
“In March, we celebrated not only Sally’s amazing volunteering but also both of the Southampton Baby Cafés had their 6th birthdays plus a visit from Angela McConville, our CEO.”
NCT Breastfeeding Peer Support projects in Scotland are running a joint celebration on 5 June with colleagues from The Breastfeeding Network and La Leche League to celebrate the work of breastfeeding peer supporters across Scotland.
“The week of 1–7 June was supposed to be Scottish Breastfeeding Week and Volunteers Week, but both were sadly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But we didn’t want the amazing work and efforts of our peer supporters to go un-celebrated,” says Donna McSwiggan, Scottish Breastfeeding Programme Manager.
“At 11am on 5 June, peer supporters from across the voluntary organisations, as well as those volunteering in NHS services, will come together on Zoom to celebrate virtually. This important event not only allows us to celebrate the work of NCT breastfeeding peer supporters in Scotland, but also allows our peers to see that their work is part of a much wider effort in supporting women in communities across the country.”
A representative from the Scottish Government, who commissions NCT breastfeeding peer support projects, will thank all the peer supporters for their continued support of mums and families. If you are an NCT breastfeeding peer Supporter in Scotland and would like to attend the celebration, please email donna.mcswiggan@nct.org.uk.
Your membership donation helps us continue many of our breastfeeding peer support services – thank you. It is appreciated by us and the mums we are can continue to support.
Next month, we’ll share more about our celebration of volunteers as part of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June).
Find out more about NCT’s breastfeeding peer support training
Find a Baby Café near you
Read about the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme
