Oswestry Community Action working in partnership with The Breastfeeding Network to launch Breastfeeding Peer Support Programme

Oswestry Community Action (Qube) is delighted to have joined forces with The Breastfeeding Network and Shropshire Council to offer an Infant Feeding Peer Support Service.

Alongside their Social Prescribing Service, Oswestry Community Action, with the support of the Breastfeeding Network accredited volunteers, will be hosting a series of Infant Feeding Support Groups that are aimed to offer additional support to parents and their close networks at all stages of their feeding journeys.

With face-to-face ongoing support in the community being a key aspect of improving breastfeeding and maternal mental health, Oswestry Community Action will be hosting peer support groups in Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Ludlow and will look to further extend the service into other areas. These groups will provide support and evidence-based information on everything from exploring breast/chest feeding and introducing solids to returning to work or study. Most importantly the groups are there for families to meet others in similar positions and to grow their support network even more, whilst enabling them to share tips, tricks and experiences between themselves.

Bex Bromley, Breastfeeding Peer Support Coordinator at Oswestry Community Action who will be leading the delivery of the infant feeding support groups says, “I am excited to be part of a team delivering infant feeding and breastfeeding peer support for families in Shropshire. This is a subject I am passionate about and I am confident that all involved recognise the importance of ensuring families have a safe, welcoming space to ask questions about feeding their babies and children, find reliable evidenced-based information and make connections within their community. Research tells us that the majority of mums end their breast/chest feeding journey before they are ready and we want to help families in Shropshire to feel informed and empowered with their feeding choices. We are looking forward to meeting families when our community groups restart, so please watch this space for more information about when the groups will be going ahead and spread the word about them going ahead.”

If you would like to find out more about the Infant Feeding Peer Support Groups, please visit the Oswestry Community Action website https://qube-oca.org.uk/infant-feeding-peer-support-service/, call 01691 656882 or email b.bromley@qube-oca.org.uk.

We will also have volunteering opportunities to train with The Breastfeeding Network as a Peer Supporter to support local families across Shropshire very soon. This training will be advertised and recruited by The Breastfeeding Network in partnership with OCA. Please keep an eye on our social media or visit The Breastfeeding Network website to find out more about becoming a volunteer: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/train-to-be-a-registered-volunteer/