In their words
Emma speaking at the HAZ 3rd Year Celebration Event
"Hello ladies and gentlemen. My name is Emma, I am 16 and have an 11 month old daughter called Chloe. I have come here today to talk about the positive effect the Young Families Service has had on my life. I don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing if it weren’t for this service. Sue, Janet and the rest of the people involved in Young Families have helped me through the good and bad times I have had. Before I knew Young Families existed I thought I would never be able to go back to school, but the Young Families has helped me to get back in to school by providing childcare for my daughter Chloe. I have now completed 6 G.C.S.E’s; this has helped me because I now feel I have achieved something. Over the next year I am hoping to take part in courses provided by the Young Families to get more qualifications.
"The Young Families also give advice on lots of different things including contraception, how to take care of my daughter when I need help and how to take care of myself. I can get advice whenever I need it, as there is a free phone number to ring any weekday evening. Alternatively, I can talk face to face with a Young Family’s worker at any of the groups. The groups provided by the Young Families team are great because not only are the workers there to talk to, but I have made new friends of my own age who are going through the same things as I am. It cheers me up to know that I am not alone, I am not the only person going through being a teenage mum.
"The groups allow Chloe to interact with other children and they get me out of the house during the day. At the group there is a library scheme where I can borrow books for Chloe and myself. There is also a baby clothes scheme, where people bring baby cloths that their children have grown out of. These are then given to who ever wants them. There are many services already in place and many new ones being set up. Sometimes when the weather is good we go out on trips to places such as Knowsley Safari Park or we can go for a pizza free of charge with Sue, Janet and the rest of the group.
"If it weren’t for Young Families I wouldn’t get out of the house and would never be able to afford to go out to nice places or to go out for meals. This service has done so much for Chloe, and myself, as it has done for so many other young parents, their children and also young pregnant girls. While I am here I would like to thank them all on behalf of everyone who they have helped.
"Thank you so much, I love you all, as does everyone involved in your service."
A day in the life of a Sure Start Plus Health Advisor/Midwife
"Today is the Pre-birth Group's visit to Pontefract General Infirmary, to see a baby bathing demonstration and visit the labour ward. I called to pick up Emma, not there! Oh how I wish this didn't happen, I really wanted her to visit the unit before she has her baby.
"Met the rest of the group outside the hospital, the taxis were on time so not much hanging about, we then went for lunch, chips and cans of pop all round, good but not very healthy!
"We then went to the ward and met baby Joshua and his mum, he was 7 days old and behaved himself well while he was bathed and changed, giving us all a real life view.
"The labour ward was busy, yet we managed a quick look around. Pain relief and activity in labour were briefly discussed. After a coffee and a chat we all went home to reflect and store our experiences."
