Family Nurse Partnership marks 10 years of supporting young parents

Tameside nurses celebrated a decade of the Family Nurse Partnership last week.

Commissioned by Tameside Council, the service offers support for young mums and their families, helping them to have a healthy pregnancy, build their confidence as parents and support their child’s development.

The Family Nurse Partnership works with first-time parents aged 19 and under, pairing them with a specially trained family nurse who visits them regularly from their first scan through to their child’s second birthday.

Each year, family nurses, young parents and their children join together to celebrate their achievements over the past 12 months. This year’s 10^th birthday event was held in Dukinfield Town Hall, complete with balloons, face-painting and cake.

The event also featured an array of other organisations and support groups which help young parents give their child the best possible start in life, providing information and resources on topics such as breastfeeding and early attachment.

Nicole is one young mum who has found her family nurse to be a comforting presence as she navigated the seas of motherhood for the first time.

“There’s a sense of feeling like you’re not alone,” she said, “There’s someone you can always speak to. You can have a chat or a rant about anything and not feel under pressure.”

Last week’s event was Nicole’s third time attending. After agreeing to be referred to the service when she found out she was pregnant, Nicole has since built a strong relationship with her family nurse, Catherine.

But Nicole is not the only one to have benefited from the service. She explained the positive impacts that the home visits have had on her now two-year-old, Marlowe:

“Catherine would sit and play with Marlowe. They come to your home, so it’s somewhere you and your child feel comfortable.

“It’s a bond for the parent but also for the child as well.”

Find out more about the Family Nurse Partnership on the Tameside and Glossop NHS ICFT website.