Spoons – Supporting new babies' new beginnings

Help group Spoons is continuing to support and care for parents and babies experiencing neonatal intensive care.

The charity, based at Royal Oldham Hospital, is unique within Greater Manchester and offers a range of classes and support groups run by volunteers.

Due to premature birth or other neonatal complications, some babies have complex needs.

For example, they may be on oxygen, using feeding tubes or have weak immune systems.

These challenges can result in extreme isolation for the parents, as they do not feel understood in regular baby groups.

Spoons’ peer to peer emotional and practical support allows parents to share their worries and thoughts with other parents who have been through similar experiences.

Action Oldham Fund provided a grant to assist and strengthen Spoons' parent and baby groups.  

These groups provide a safe space for parents to bond with their babies, offering a sense of normality.

The activities such as baby yoga, first aid classes and play sessions allow parents to feel more confident with their babies in an environment where they don’t feel judged.

One parent who attended the first aid course commented that ‘the course was fun and informative, it definitely made me feel more confident.’

Another parent said: "What a fantastic course I would recommend all parents do this."

Kirsten Mitchell, the group leader, said: “The courses provided through the  Action Oldham Funding have really helped improve the parents confidence, and given them a chance to learn new skills in a relaxed and informal  environment.

"The community support groups are a lifeline for some parents.

"The groups can reduce isolation and loneliness which is sometimes experienced by parents after babies have been discharged from neonatal care."

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