AMY'S STORY
HOW DID YOU START VOLUNTEERING?
I started helping at my local toddler group on Thursday mornings. My three children are now school age and I found my local playgroup so helpful when I had young children, so I was happy to help other parents. Whilst helping out at this group; I found out about the opportunity to Volunteer with Locala helping with the self-weigh in clinic and then I was also invited to become a Breast Feeding Peer Supporter.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER?
At the Baby Weigh-Ins, I set out the equipment and then greet Mums with their babies when they enter the community centre. The Mum’s weigh their own babies whilst I chat to them and ask how they are getting on. I note down the weight of baby, convert from kilos to pounds and write it down so parents can add the information to their red book. I talk to parents if they have any concerns and signpost them where to go for more help such as their GP, Midwife or Health Visitor. I make parents feel welcome and invite them into the toddler group for a cup of tea.
As a Breast Feeding Peer Support Volunteer I offer emotional support to new Mums by telephone. I chat to them about how they are getting on, discuss any problems and encourage them to go to breast feeding groups so they can get physical support. As a parent who has breastfed three children, I can provide real life experience and reassurance. My role is a bit like a big sister, offering support and encouragement. Sometimes I ring a new parent every few days if they need extra support or sometimes one phone call is enough. I also send a text message to them about local parent and baby groups they can attend. The training for this role including a 9 week course (one morning per week) which covered scenarios and scientific research so that I was up to date with information on breast and bottle feeding methods.
My role at Locala also involves volunteering on the Readers Panel – we read and make suggestions regarding Locala publications (leaflets that sort of thing). We help to keep the information user friendly so that people can read it easily.
I also run the Thornhill Sewing and Craft club. We usually meet on Monday evenings. It is a group for anyone who loves being creative, I usually bake a cake, and people bring along whatever they are working on, such as knitting painting or crocheting.
HOW HAS YOUR VOLUNTEERING CHANGED DURING THE PANDEMIC?
At the moment I am unable to volunteer with the self-weigh clinic but I am still able to volunteer over the telephone as a Breast Feeding Support Peer Mentoring.
When we went into lockdown, I saw that hospitals needed scrubs so some of us from the craft group decided to start sewing some scrubs. We set up a ‘go fund me’ page on facebook to fund materials – our target was £250 but this soon rose to £1500! We spent all the money on fabric which we delivered to peoples’ doorsteps in batches so they could start sewing. Our group of Sewers grew via social media to 30 people. We have made 150 pairs of scrubs and 200 wash bags which have been distributed to Pinderfields Hospitals, GP surgeries and Care Homes. Our story has featured in the Dewsbury Reporter and Pontefract and Castleford Express.
Amy busy sewing scrubs at home.
We have also been asked by an NHS nurse to make slings to weigh babies in during home visits. A sling can then be left with the baby to avoid infections spreading.So far we have made 40 baby slings.
I’ve made so many friends, it has been remarkable. People living round the corner from me who I didn’t know before will hopefully come to our craft club when it reopens.
WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER?
I enjoy talking to and meeting new people. Volunteering enables me to give something back. When my children were young I attended my local Surestart centre and shared all my worries and concerns. Now the community have taken this on, and I can give back and reassure new parents in my local community which is really fulfilling.
Without the self-weigh clinic in Thornhill, local parents would have to travel by car or public transport to access services, or have to book an appointment via their GP so I am really glad we can offer this local, friendly drop in service.
Find out more about volunteering with Locala (please note recruitment is temporarily on hold)
Amy’s Craft Club facebook page