Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer
Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer
Be rewarded and have new experiences, volunteer with us as Breastfeeding Support Volunteer.
The Volunteer Role:
Action for Children in South Worcestershire- Starting Well Partnership works collaboratively with Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust to ensure pregnant women and mothers get the support and information needed to enable them to breastfeed successfully for as long as they wish.
Breast Buddies are mothers or grandmothers who are passionate about breastfeeding, have successfully breastfed at least one child and have a desire to help other mothers in their local community do the same. This is achieved by facilitating a local mother to mother support group, by building confidence and developing connections.
What does this role involve?
- Meeting, greeting, and supporting parents at face-to-face breast-feeding peer support groups
- Sign posting to relevant services and groups
- Promoting supervision topics and displaying relevant literature
- Keeping group resources up to date
- Assisting with setting up and tidying away the room and resources
- Normalising breast feeding in the community
Skills Required:
- Experience of having breastfed a child (either currently or in the past). All ages are welcome.
- A non-judgemental and friendly approach
- Good communication skills and the ability to relate to both adults and children in a virtual and a face-to-face breastfeeding peer support group setting
- Reliable, with the ability to be flexible and adapt to different situations
Frequency/commitment of the role:
Breastfeeding support groups take place on weekdays and are based in a variety of venues across Worcestershire including Family Hubs. Times and days of each group vary by location and drop-in sessions run for roughly 2 hours. You will be required to take part in at least 4 group supervision/update sessions each year alongside regular volunteering. Breastfeeding Peer Supporters should also be willing to commit to at least 1 year of volunteering as a trained Breast Buddy.
Training:
Prior to starting this role, you will be required to complete a 4-week training course (4 x weekly 2-hour sessions, including breaks) alongside the volunteer training processes required by the host organisation. Through training you’ll learn about how breastfeeding works, responsive feeding, & the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative. You’ll also pick up lots of information on positioning, attachment, longer term breastfeeding, problem solving and communication skills.
Other details:
Breast Buddy Peer Supporters are mentored by the Starting Well Breastfeeding Team in addition to Peer Support and Volunteer Coordinators in Worcestershire. You can expect to receive regular support and supervision when carrying out your volunteer role including a comprehensive induction before you start.
Our Vision
Action For Children Starting Well Partnership South Worcestershire
We place children, young people and families first, delivering safe high quality services that empower and enable children, young people and families to achieve their full potential.
We play an important role in supporting local families in South Worcestershire with children aged 0-19. By providing training, advice and guidance the local Action For Children Starting Well team empower families to 'nip things in the bud' early and this limits the risk of escalation. The service places an emphasis on a holistic ‘whole family’ approach that will result in long term, sustainable change.
Our work includes: Children Centre services, positive parenting courses, adult learning, support within schools and communities to engage young people with their education and work journey, and advice and guidance to young people who are not in education.
What Volunteers Say...
I was directed to Action for Children by a colleague on my course and after an initial meeting and attending the volunteer training session, with the Senior Volunteer Co-ordinator, I obtained a placement at the Buttercup Centre. The recruitment process was really simple and the support received from my supervisors and others at the centre is fantastic. If there is anything I am unsure of or the parents are looking for guidance, I know who to ask and where to signpost them.
Annabel
