Yesterday (22/09/20), Parents 1st UK and affiliate programme, Island House Community Parent Programme, were amongst the 8 organisations invited to a roundtable with The Duchess of Cambridge to discuss parent-to-parent support. Keen to learn about the different types of peer support available throughout the nation, Her Royal Highness invited experts in the field to share the impact their work has on parents’ health and wellbeing.
Demand for peer support has increased during the pandemic – particularly for isolated and lonely parents. The value of having someone “in your corner” with the time to listen, reassure and share information has been a lifeline to many parents.
Peer support has so much to do with a volunteer being there to listen to an expectant or new mum or dad; helping them to unravel their thoughts and feelings and through a trusting relationship to support them to make positive moves towards being a more confident parent.
Rachel Redfearn, Programme Co-ordinator for Island House Community Parent Programme
Peer supporters carry out an important mediating role – enabling parents to benefit from services available to them in a timely way. More could be done to broker different cultural needs and reach out to BAME families.
Peer support needs to be valued, recognised, and embedded alongside public services. We need to ensure that parents know that these amazing initiatives are there for them and there is no stigma attached.
Organisations delivering peer support often struggle with funding and need to find new ways of sustaining them.
Quality peer support has a unique contribution to make to supporting the wellbeing of parents, babies, and families. It should be a universal offer to all new parents, starting as early as possible in pregnancy.
Celia Suppiah, CEO of Parents 1st UK
Her Royal Highness thanked all involved:
Following the roundtable meeting, Her Royal Highness went on to meet with parents in Battersea Park to hear how peer support has helped them and their families. At a time when face-to-face contact is limited, peer support has continued through virtual channels and has played a vital role in ensuring parents feel supported during these challenging times. It is very clear though that there has never been a time where this support is more needed.
According to a lockdown survey run by HomeStart, Best Beginnings and Parent-Infant Foundation during COVID-19, only around 3 in 10 parents (32%) were confident that they could find help for their mental health if they needed it, and 4 in 10 (38%) pregnant respondents were concerned about getting reliable pregnancy information and advice.
We were very excited to have the opportunity to contribute our knowledge and experience during the discussion and it was fantastic to see the value of peer support recognised by The Duchess of Cambridge and The Royal Foundation. As for what lies ahead for peer support - watch this space…!