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Footsteps (perinatal befriender)

Posted By Sweetcheeks1975

"Footsteps (perinatal befriender)"

About: Stapleford Children's Centre

(as the patient),

After the birth of my second child, I found myself feeling very low, exhausted and unable to cope with both children. I was very upset and felt totally useless in looking after myself and children! Sheree (my family support worker), recognised that I needed help both emotionally and practically. She offered the befriender service and was working with my on sorting this out for me but sadly as time went on my depression had worsened and found it difficult to imagine having a stranger in my home. She understood this and continued to offer support from herself which has been invaluable. She urged me to seek medical help and worked alongside my health visitor to make sure I was supported in all areas. I cannot thank the service enough for how it's helped me. I'm now on the right medication and feeling much better about myself and received full CBT counselling to ensure that I stay on the right track.

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Responses

Response from Andy White, Training and Learning Facilitator, Children's Centres, Nottinghamshire Children and Families Partnership, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 8 years ago
Andy White
Training and Learning Facilitator, Children's Centres, Nottinghamshire Children and Families Partnership,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 21/01/2016 at 16:18
Published on Care Opinion at 16:22

HI


many thanks for sharing your story really appreciate your feedback.

Footsteps is a county wide perinatal befriender service delivered by Children's Centres aimed at that peer on peer support for those parents/carers who are experiencing low moods/anxiety shortly following the birth of a child and up to the child reaches the age of one.

we have invested into training our comitted volunteers to be able to support parents intesively during this time.

As you stated in your feedback, the perinatal befriender service was not appropriate for your circumstances but our family support workers are trained to a level to help identify this and signpost to the most appropriate support.

I am glad to hear this referral pathway worked for you and Sheree supported you in accessing the most appropriate intevention and the outcome is a positive one for you and your family.

We will continue to invest in the perinatal befriender service and it would be great if and when you feel ready to help us if you had the time to develop the service, either by becoming a volunteer or just to help improve the service in any way we can.

Many thanks for sharing your story once again
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