by West Midlands Magazines | Apr 29, 2024 | Bilston, Council, Health, Wednesfield, West Midlands, Wolverhampton
Today marks the start of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week – an annual campaign to encourage people to talk about their mental health before, during and after pregnancy.
Around one in five women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or within the early postnatal years.
The national campaign, organised by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, aims to encourage people to access the information and help they require to enable recovery. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Rediscovering you’.
Bal Kaur, Consultant in Public Health with the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Being pregnant or becoming a new parent is a milestone event in life. It is natural for new parents to feel a lot of different emotions during this time.
“But if you’re feeling low and it’s starting to affect your life, there are a range of things you can do that may help, so please don’t suffer in silence.”
Across the city, there are a lot of resources available to help support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents and help you to rediscover yourself during this life-changing time.
The city’s Family Hubs and libraries deliver a range of activities that support parental and infant wellbeing, including Stay and Play groups and Baby Booktime sessions to boost the bond with your baby.
The council’s Parental and Infant Wellbeing Team deliver activities that focus on parent and infant relationships, including Bop Around Bantock, a babywearing walk in Bantock Park every Tuesday, and StepAhead, a community wellbeing drop-in group in the Children’s Library at Central Library every Wednesday.
People are encouraged to speak to their midwife, health visitor or visit their local Family Hub if they are feeling low. They can provide advice and information about local groups and specialist services that can support people’s health and wellbeing.
For more information on good mental health during pregnancy, visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/mental-health/.
by West Midlands Magazines | Apr 5, 2024 | Bilston, Council, Health, News, Wednesfield, West Midlands, Wolverhampton
The Fostering for Wolverhampton team is on the hunt for new foster parents this Easter.
The City of Wolverhampton Council’s fostering service is inviting people to find out more about this rewarding career, including the support and financial benefits on offer to people who foster.
The council’s Director of Children’s Services Alison Hinds said: “Fostering can truly be a life-changing experience, both for foster parents and the children and young people they care for.
“With currently over 200 fantastic fostering households, we are very lucky to have so many dedicated foster parents here in our city – but we have more children who need a foster home.
“We’ve love to hear from people who have both a spare room and, most importantly, love in their heart to offer the most vulnerable children and young people in our city a family home.
“I’d encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a foster parent to visit www.fosteringforwolverhampton.com, follow Fostering for Wolverhampton on Facebook at fosteringforwolves or call the team on 01902 551133 to find out more about this life-changing opportunity.”
Meanwhile, children and their foster families came together for the annual Easter Egg-stravaganza last week.
Organised by the Fostering for Wolverhampton team, it took place at WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams and featured an Easter trail and an appearance by the Easter Bunny, the Wolves play café, face painting, a disco and a variety of sports and art activities.
More than 100 people attended the event, just one of the many social activities organised throughout the year for foster families who are part of Fostering for Wolverhampton.
Alison added: “It was a real pleasure that so many foster families were able to come together to celebrate Easter with the children and young people they care for. “This was one example of the many events we hold for our foster parents, who do such an excellent job of looking after children in care.”
