The activities aim to:
- Promote better physical health during pregnancy through a range of activities taking place in local communities across Sandwell.
- Improve the wellbeing of expectant parents with courses that provide self-care and mindfulness techniques.
- Create safe places for new parents to meet and learn to improve their own mental wellbeing whilst learning new skills.
- Improve the social interactions of new parents, allowing them time to meet one another and develop new friendships.
- Support the creations of local peer support networks
The courses are delivered by a number of experienced and skilled local professionals who are passionate about supporting parents and making a difference to family life.
Every parent receives a bespoke handbook that contains hints and tips for new and expectant parents as well as signposting information for wider support available in Sandwell.
Funding through the PHE Better Mental Health project has enabled a wide variety of FREE activities and courses to be held in Sandwell’s 6 towns. Sessions take place throughout the day, evenings and weekends so that they meet the needs of parents and parents to be.
Activities for pregnant mums include:
- Pregnancy Yoga and Pregnancy Fitness Classes based in the community
- Aqua-natal classes at West Bromwich Leisure Centre
- Bump to Baby – to help support new mums give baby the best start
- Top-to Toe Pregnancy Health and Wellbeing – will give an insight into holistic health and wellbeing care.
- Coffee, Craft, and Chat – provides an opportunity to meet new people and learn how to make beautiful crafts
Once baby has arrived, parents can access:
- Baby Sensory classes in the community
- Tree Babies – supporting the attachment of mum and baby through mindfulness and craft activities
- Tots Talking to support early language development
- Babbling Babies – targeting babies aged 6-12 months, providing them with fun and practical ideas to improve language and communication
- Beyond Birth – a mindful and wellbeing session just for new parents
- Coffee, Craft and Chat – meet new people and learn how to make gorgeous crafts
More activities are planned in 2022.
