Young families in Knowsley and the professionals who have supported them during the important early years have been celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Family Nurse Partnership.
The partnership is a voluntary home-visiting programme for first time young mums, aged 20 years or under.
A specially trained family nurse visits the young mum (and dad) to help them understand all about their pregnancy and how to care for themselves and their babies. They visit regularly during the pregnancy and then after the birth until the baby is two years old.
Feedback about the programme is very positive. One young mum said: “Without the Family Nurse Partnership, I wouldn’t be the mum I am today. Thank you so much for all you have done for my family.”
Councillor Shelly Powell, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, Wellbeing and Customer Services, said: “The Family Nurse Partnership has had a positive impact on the early life of many young families in Knowsley, as it has across the country. It was wonderful to celebrate the programme’s anniversary with some of the families and children who have benefited from the scheme in Knowsley over the past 10 years.”
Kerrie France, Assistant Clinical Director at North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is inspiring to see the difference the programme has made for so many children and families lives. The event was a real chance to meet and celebrate together with the nurses and families past and present who have been on the programme. It was such a joy to witness the relationships that have developed between parents and babies and the confident children they have become with the help and support of their family nurse.”
The programme is delivered for Knowsley Council by North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Research has shown many of the children whose mums and partners have taken part in the programme do better in school. Mums and their partners are also more likely to achieve what they want for themselves and their children. Families still have their midwife and doctor and any other professionals who may be involved, and the family nurse will support the family to give their baby the best possible start in life.
For more information about the Family Nurse Partnership, visit www.nwbh.nhs.uk/family-nurse-partnership-knowsley