Maternity & Midwifery Forum

Parents 1st

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Led by experienced practitioners, Parents 1st UK shares everything we have learnt over the past 30+ years researching and developing perinatal peer support initiatives to enable best practice in perinatal peer support to flourish. Practitioners, funders, volunteers and parents can connect and collaborate, share good practice, access step-by-step guides to set up their own perinatal peer support programme, download 100s of free resources and much more.

Peer supporters empower parents to be emotionally well through pregnancy, birth and beyond. They can recognise signs that a parent is struggling and help prevent problems escalating in the crucial early days of transition to parenthood. If professional intervention is needed, peer supporters support and signpost parents to get the help they need, when they need it. The evidence that quality peer support contributes to healthier pregnancies, better births and happier babies is overwhelming.

Parents 1st UK guides practitioners interested in how perinatal peer support can complement clinical care, providing evidence-based research and knowledge to demonstrate the benefits of quality peer support. When implemented properly, peer support can take the strain off health care professionals and prevent escalation of need especially if a pregnant woman is vulnerable or has no partner.

Our free online community hub is a platform for sharing and developing best practice in perinatal peer support – Join us to help peer support flourish across the UK and help more marginalised parents to benefit from the unique contribution of peer support to give babies the best possible start in life.

Contact Email: [email protected]

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