Our Pregnancy Pals receive excellent training and support to carry out their role.
Our approach is friendly and relaxed so that you enjoy the experience whilst also building your knowledge and skills. Most of all we want to equip you to be a confident volunteer.
Stage 1 (4 weekly sessions)
This introduces you to the Parents 1st team and provides opportunities to see what we do first-hand. You will learn about health and wellbeing in pregnancy and how to build trusting relationships.
Friendly, knowledgeable tutors. Great group, fun, learnt loads.
Stage 2 (6 weekly sessions)
This prepares you to start offering one-to-one support to mothers and fathers during pregnancy. You will learn about family relationships, breastfeeding, and local birth options. You will develop your listening skills and how to carry out your volunteering role safely.
Stage 3 (4 weekly sessions)
This prepares you to be a birth partner.
Very nice atmosphere and everyone respected and appreciated each other’s values. Tutors very approachable and 'down to earth'. They enjoy what they do.
Stage 4 (6 weekly sessions)
This prepares you to support mothers and fathers after the birth.
You will learn about: emotional wellbeing; supporting parents to develop their confidence and get to know their baby; safeguarding vulnerable children and adults; and how to know whether your support is making a difference.
I've learnt so much… I enjoyed all the information covered and I'm looking forward to supporting parents.
Stage 5 (ongoing monthly sessions and one-to-one support)
These sessions keep you connected with other Pregnancy Pals and help you to feel supported in carrying out your role. You will learn additional topics e.g. safe sleeping for babies, domestic violence, talks from local midwives.
The training has been wonderful… I think I've experienced every emotion but I've met some great people who have become my friends. I'm really looking forward to my future with Parents 1st.
Each training session lasts about 4 hours.