Abigail & Elizabeth

I was going to be a mum. My parents live in Italy. I didn’t have anyone around to give me advice. I thought it would be good to have the extra support and to learn more about how to help my baby’s development. 

The groups are great at engaging children and helping their development with all the different activities they run. They also get parents involved and help you learn how to interact with your child. I found them very helpful and informative, especially as a first-time mum.

They also get you out and about and meeting other parents. Even during the Covid lockdowns, although we couldn’t physically go to the groups. The service reached out to families by running online groups which really helped whilst being stuck at home during the pandemic.

My partner took part in Fathers Reading Every Day and really enjoyed it as he got to spend quality with our daughter. He even agreed to help promote the service by appearing on the banners that are used out in the community. It makes us feel very proud when we see them and makes us feel a real part of the community.

Pauline has become like family over the last 4 years. She has been a massive support. Anytime I need help, she is there for me. She also sends me information that might be useful to me like events that are going on in the community. She has helped us get to know people and make friends and feel really settled here.

I’d tell all parents to go for it, get a Family Mentor, it’s free. It doesn’t matter if it’s baby number 1,2, or 3. You might already have experience as a parent but there is always stuff you don’t know or don’t remember. It’s always good to have someone you can trust to turn to and get a second opinion.