Local MP John Lamont has praised an award winning and ground-breaking service for new parents following a visit to Nurture the Borders in Selkirk.
Nurture the Borders is a Community Interest Company which runs on a not for profit basis and aims to ensure that all new parents in the region feel fully supported.
The group helps hundreds of local parents have a positive experience through pregnancy and supports mums with their new babies up to the age of two. This free service includes group drop in sessions and a Mum Befriending Programme which provides much needed one-to-one support and a friendly face for new mums.
The only organisation in the country which provides this level of support, Nurture the Borders were recently crowned the Specialist Maternity Service of the Year at the MAMA Awards and were personally praised by the Scottish Government’s Chief Midwifery Advisor, Professor Ann Holmes.
Local MP John Lamont paid a visit to the team and the mums they support in their new premises in Selkirk and heard how the CIC is looking for new volunteers to begin training in October.
John Lamont MP said: “Nurture the Borders is a fantastic service which provides life-changing support to new mums and their babies in the Scottish Borders.
“This type of support is not really on offer anywhere else in Scotland and so Kirsty and her team should be incredibly proud of their work.
“I was particularly impressed to learn that the Scottish Government’s Chief Midwifery Advisor has personally praised Nurture the Borders describing them as an ‘asset’ to the area.
“It was great to pay the team a visit in their new premises and to hear a bit more about what they offer and about their plans for the future.
“Soon to be or new mums in the Borders should certainly have a look at what Nurture the Borders can offer. I’d also urge anyone who has a bit of spare time to get involved by volunteering with the Mum Befriending Programme.”
Nurture the Borders Director Kirsty Wheatley added: “We are humbled by the national recognition we have received. We’re extremely proud of the continuing dedication of our staff and volunteers to give the very best support possible to mums across the Borders, and the mums we have worked with for allowing us to be a part of their journey at this special time.
“We really do believe we have created something unique and special with Nurture the Borders and hope to be able to continue to grow.
“We are now settled in 'The Village' in Selkirk and would encourage all mums, not only those needing support, to pop along to Mum Monday's drop in to join us for a cuppa, and any mum who is struggling to visit our website and pop in a self-referral.
“Our Facebook page has all the information on upcoming events such as Eco Friendly Baby Swap Shops & Workshops.
“We are also on the lookout for volunteers from all over, but in particular in Peebles & Berwickshire, with our next volunteer training programme beginning in October - please visit the website or contact [email protected] for more information.”
