A support group for families who have spent time in neonatal care at The Cumberland Infirmary has been launched in Carlisle.
The first session was held at Tullie earlier this month.
Katie Allison, Ward Manager on the Special Care Baby Unit at CIC, said: “We are all very excited to be able to develop a neonatal support group locally for our neonatal families.
“One in seven babies born experience care on the neonatal unit and we know how important it is that families have support continued once discharged home.
“The group is an opportunity for anyone who has experienced neonatal care to meet and chat with other families while encouraging their babies development through play.
“We are so grateful for the support of the charity Team Evie, Maternity Neonatal Voice Partnership (MNVP) and Tullie to enable this work.
“Team Evie has been part of this project and is looking to support this long term as the MNVP funding is only short term and attend in person so they can provide peer support too.
“Team Evie also support the team at Whitehaven and have a well-established and well attended baby group – it’s really exciting that we now have this in our area too.”
The group will meet on the first Thursday of every month from 10.30am to 12pm, except in August during the summer holidays.
No booking is required, if families do require further information they can contact Team Evie.
Greg Johnston from Team Evie – a charity set up to help sick children in memory of his baby daughter Evie, said: “As a charity we have had a fantastic relationship with the Special Care Baby Unit for many years, helping families in many ways, but we are really proud to be collaborating with the unit on the special baby group.
“We know how important it is for parents to be able to socialise with their babies and get support from other parents and when their baby has spent time in the SCBU it is even more important.
“For parents whose child have additional needs, or a complex or chronic condition, being among people who understand, and don’t ask lots of questions, as well as being among staff from the unit makes them feel safe, welcome and less isolated – we are so proud to help.
“After 18 months of accepting referrals to our Peer Support Service from families on the unit we are really excited to now be working alongside staff in the hospital, providing cot side peer support.
“As a crucial part of Family Integrated Care we know that being able to speak to veteran parents has huge benefits to families while they are facing the stress, anxiety and isolation of being in hospital with their baby. We are so proud to be partnered with the unit and the trust to provide this service and support the parents in their time of need – we can’t wait to keep developing the service and providing more support for those who need it.
“Our aim when we started the charity 10 years ago after Evie’s death was to help sick children and their families, and to now be in the position where we are providing a support service in the unit, standing shoulder to shoulder with the parents who need us, when they most need us, is something we are really proud of.”
Team Evie Charity - Always Moving Forwards