A week focusing on babies’ wellbeing begins in Hull on Monday, with a packed timetable of events and activities. Infant Mental Health Awareness Week runs from Monday, June 12 to Sunday, June 18, with a theme of Bonding Before Birth. Hull’s Children’s Centres (soon to be known as Family Hubs), and other local partners, as well as the national organisation the Parent-Infant Foundation, are all supporting the week.
Just some of the activities on offer include:
- Monday: Pregnancy Relaxation Session, Ainthorpe Children’s Centre,1.30 – 2.30pm. £1 voluntary contribution, call: 01482 305770 to book.
- Tuesday: face-to-face drop-in clinic for pregnant people, Rainbow Children’s Centre. All day.
- Wednesday: Child Health Clinic, Lemon Tree Children’s Centre, 12.30-1.30pm. Just turn up!
- Thursday: Baby Bump Bonding, Parks Children Centre, 1 – 2.30pm. Just turn up!
- Friday: Pregnancy and post-pregnancy yoga, Parks Children’s Centre, 1 – 2pm. Just turn up!
- A full list of activities will be available across Hull City Council’s social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.
Cllr Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “Hull has a really wide range of services to support mothers, birthing people, partners and families through pregnancy and beyond. Infant Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to shine a spotlight on what’s available and raise awareness of how important the bonding process is, both before and after birth.
“The activities are open to all pregnant people and are taking place throughout the city, meaning there are plenty of chances to participate. Themes and discussions will include bonding, attachment and well-being of both babies and parents. There are opportunities to enjoy some gentle movement, attend drop-in clinics and find out more about the bonding process.
“Research shows that the experiences and relationships we have in the earliest years of our lives, including before birth, impact on the development of our brains, so these really are vitally important topics.
“Our Children’s Centres are all participating, as well as midwives, health visitors, the Us Mums team and more, so it’s a good way to make connections with people and support services which can be really helpful before and after giving birth”.
Visit the Parent-Infant Foundation https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/ for more information about Infant Mental Awareness Week. Visit hullccnews.co.uk or @hullccnews on Twitter and Hull City Council on Facebook for the full event timetable.
