Monday, 30 November 2009
Health In Pregnancy Grant (£190)
This is a one-off payment which is for every expectant mum and payment of the grant does not depend on the amount of family income, and receipt of the grant will not affect tax or benefits.
What is it for?
The grant aims to provide flexible financial help to support the general health and well-being of women in the later stages of pregnancy, and to help them to meet wider costs in the run up to the birth. How it is spent is up to the women, who would receive information on health and well-being from her midwife.
How to claim
Your midwife or GP will have the relevant forms, which he or she can sign for you once you've completed 25 weeks of pregnancy. It's then your responsibility to send the form off within 31 days. You should then get a decision letter within three weeks, with payment arriving within a further seven days.
Further information here or by calling 0845 366 7885
One of the things you might consider spending some of the money on is antenatal classes - which are clearly of benefit to the health of mums, dads and babies!; [original article]
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Long Eaton Bumps and Babies is turning Japanese!
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Find out more about babies and swimming at Long Eaton Bumps and Babies
Friday, 27 November 2009
Long Eaton Bumps and Babies Report
This week's Long Eaton Bumps and Babies saw the usual 20 or so mums with Grace, Marcel and their baby Charlie attending for the first time as a family.
Laura gave Liz a knitting lesson and, before you could say "Merry Christmas" Liz was knitting up a striped scarf as a present for Joseph whilst Laura's daughter Amelia happily amused herself on the floor - she is so keen to get on the move!
Sue took a call from Tomono from Cocoro and finalised the date for Long Eaton Bumps and Babies turning Japanese - Thursday 21 January. Tomono is planning to bring along Japanese food, toys and clothing for the children and parents to have a look at. Helen's daughter Meredith has been modelling some recently on Cocoro's blog
We managed to find a moment when not a single baby was feeding or crying so we took the opportunity for a group photo. 21 babies - the oldest on the left, the youngest on the right.
Forthcoming events for Long Eaton Bumps and Babies include:
03 December - a visit from Marie from Water Babies. Marie will be able to answer all questions about how soon you can take your baby swimming, what they should wear and what sort of thing they do in Water Babies' classes
10 December - Sticky Fingers are coming to do pottery footprints. This is expected to be highly popular so if you are there on time, go and get your footprints done rather than leaving it to the end and finding you haven't got time!
17 December - LE B&B co-host Caroline is taking over the local Tiny Talk franchise and will be coming along to give a demo class to the group. It's a great opportunity to find out more and to sign up for the next set of classes. As it's our last session before Christmas, we'll try to celebrate that a bit - Santa hats on babies? Sausage rolls and mince pies anyone?
After that we're taking a Christmas break but we'll welcome everyone back on Thursday 07 January 2010; [original article]
Great Christmas present - your baby's foot print on a plate, mug or bauble
Prices start at £6.50 for a small bauble or tile including baby's name and date/age and decoration (hearts or stars) and rise to £13.50 for an oval plaque. For an extra £1 you can add an additional greeting.
; [original article]
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Beeston Bumps and Babies group
You are welcome to come along.
The group is hosted by NCT antenatal teacher, Annabelle, who teaches in Beeston. There is no charge for children under 12 months to get into the play centre. You will need to buy your own drinks and cakes. Older babies are welcome.; [original article]
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Bumps and Babies groups
The Long Eaton Group meets at St John's Church Hall which is on the corner of Canal Street and College Street in Long Eaton. Come along any time after 10am and stay until 12noon when we have to leave. Plenty of biscuits, tea, coffee and soft drinks and people to talk to. We ask for a £2 donation to help cover the costs of hiring the venue and refreshments.
The West Bridgford Group meets at Rushcliffe Arena from 1.30pm-3pm. Again drinks and biscuits and the chance to chat are on offer.
Come along and say hello - everyone with a young baby is welcome - it's especially nice if you're wanting to venture out for the first time and worried about how you will manage.; [original article]
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Rafaella's Gift Project
It is aimed at helping parents who are in desperate need of essential items to take care of themselves and their babies.
Inspired by the Little Ducks project run by North Staffordshire NCT, we distribute packs of essentials such as maternity pads, towels, baby clothes, toiletries and breast pads to expectant and new mothers who find themselves in desperate circumstances.
We also collect donations of larger items such as prams, highchairs and cots from local NCT members - and others - and distribute them to the families who are referred to us for help.
The parents we help may have been forced to flee their home because of domestic violence, or may be living in extreme poverty and have no way of providing for their new baby themselves.
We urgently need volunteers to assist with the collection and distribution of items from donors’ homes to our central storage unit, and to help with the sorting of items such as baby clothes. You can do this at times to suit you and petrol allowances can be paid for long journeys.
We also require help with the distribution of items to our clients' homes or if it is more appropriate, to their local children’s centre or hostel.
We would also like to hear from anyone who can help with publicity and administration.
If you feel you could help with any of our roles please contact rafaellasgiftproject@yahoo.com.; [original article]
Monday, 23 November 2009
Nottingham NCT Bumps and Babies - New Flyers
Beeston
Long Eaton
West Bridgford
[original article]
Have your say on maternity and newborn care
The meetings will be held as follows:
1 December - 9.30am to 11.30am
at Richard Herrod Centre, Foxhill Road, Carlton, Nottingham, NG4 1RL
2 December - 1pm to 3pm
at The Towers, Botany Avenue, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 5NG
7 December - 6pm to 8pm
at Aspley Community and Training Centre, off Minver Crescent, Nottingham, NG8 5PN
To book your place and to flag any accessibility needs or translation requirements for the meetings, please contact 01623 673239 or email wendy.tomlinson@nottspct.nhs.uk
www.nottinghamcity.nhs.uk
www.nottspct.nhs.uk
Newsletter
Contributions are always welcome, from both members and non-members – please email the editorial team if you have any ideas, articles or photographs to offer at inform@nctnottingham.org.
We aim to fund the newsletters entirely through advertising, so if you are interested in publicising your product or services to a very targeted audience of parents with young children, please get in touch by emailing advertise@nctnottingham.org.
A copy of our latest newsletter can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here. ; [original article]
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Nearly New Sale Seller Information
Get together the pile of things you want to sell.
Decide on prices which will ensure they will sell on the day, unless you really want a big pile of unsold items (remember we will take a 25% commission).
Details of upcoming sales can be found on our events page; [original article]
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Nearly New Sale Buyer Information
Consider becoming an NCT member if you aren't already so you can get in early.
Prepare a shopping list but keep an open mind.
We regret that we are unable to take credit or debit cards at the sale and can only accept cash or a cheque with a guarantee card.
You may also prefer to leave your pushchair at home as the sale will be very crowded.
Details of upcoming sales can be found on our events page. ; [original article]
Friday, 20 November 2009
Nearly New Sales
NCT members can get in 15 minutes earlier than non-members so if you're queuing and feeling you might be missing out, grab one of our helpers and join on the spot to jump the queue!
How does it work?
Children outgrow clothing and toys very quickly, often long before the items have begun to wear out. The NCT puts on these sales so you can sell your outgrown and unwanted items and recoup some of the cost.
You register as a seller. We send you labels and guidance on pricing. You price your items and drop them off at the sale venue on the day and return later to collect any unsold items. In the meantime, several hundred buyers have been spending money like crazy, bagging some of the biggest bargains of their lives! We'll send you a cheque for the amount of everything you sold less out commission of 25%. We have to limit the number of people who can sell at each sale, so we also ask that everyone who wishes to sell either works a shift at the sale itself or contributes some work to the preparation of the sale.
If you're a potential buyer you need to check back here regularly to find out when your nearest sale is on. If you aren't already a member, consider joining so that you can get in early and bag the best bargains. Then sharpen your elbows, pay a visit to the cashpoint or dig out your cheque book and guarantee card and prepare to shop.
Clothes (0-10 years), toys and nursery equipment are all laid out clearly and spaciously by age/type (it's nothing like a jumble sale).
The Nottingham branch of the NCT have moved their Bramcote "Nearly New Sale" to Long Eaton. The next sale will be on Saturday 20th March 2010.
The sale offers local parents and carers an opportunity to buy good quality Nearly New items from other local parents.
The Long Eaton School, Thoresby Road, (just after West Park Leisure Centre), Long Eaton, NG10 3NP. (map)
Sales are still held in Mapperley usually in June each year.
All are welcome. Entrance fee £1. Early entry for NCT members at 9.45am (and you can join on the day to get this privilege).
Enquiries: nearlynew@nctnottingham.org or 0700 580 0628 (ansaphone).; [original article]
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Beeston Bumps and Babies group
You are welcome to come along.
The group is hosted by NCT antenatal teacher, Annabelle, who teaches in Beeston. There is no charge for children under 12 months to get into the play centre. You will need to buy your own drinks and cakes. Older babies are welcome.; [original article]
Local Groups
- Wollaton
- Bramcote
- Hucknall/Newstead
- Mapperley
If you'd like to go along to any of these, please contact localgroups@nctnottingham.org; [original article]
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Location, location, location
Background
Choice of place of birth is vital for all women in the UK.
In England, the Government has made a guarantee that all women should have the choice of where they give birth. The choices that should be available are:
Home birth;
Birth centre – either standalone or alongside;
Obstetric unit in a hospital.
This guarantee, made in the Maternity Matters strategy, should be fulfilled by the end of 2009, but the NCT has evidence that this will not be met. Policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also supports choice. We commissioned research looking into the availability of choice throughout the UK, as we believe that choice is vital for women in all four countries. This research found that a staggeringly small percentage of women – only 4.2% – have access to the full range of options that should be available to them.
The NCT believes that choice of place of birth should be provided for across all four countries of the UK. We also believe that this should be provided locally with the provision of objective information and support from health professionals.
You can read the campaign report by downloading it from the link below. Also below is the research report the campaign report has been based on.
What we are doing
We are campaigning to make sure that women have the information they need to make informed choices about their place of birth. We also need to ensure that the infrastructure is in place so that maternity units are available within reasonable journey times.
We are targeting trusts and boards within the NHS and health professionals’ bodies. We hope to work with these audiences to ensure that services are in place, and are sufficiently promoted, so that women have all three options available to them, and are provided with enough information to make their decision.
Read all the latest news on the campaign.
Take Action: Make a difference in two minutes
Your support and action is vital to the success of the campaign. We have set up some simple actions that you can take to build support in your area, inform your elected representative (AM, MLA, MP, MSP) of the situation, or to ask for action from your local NHS trust or board. This action will use the details you enter to generate an e-mail automatically, so shouldn't take more than two minutes to send both e-mails.
E-mail your elected representative so that s/he can support your local services and get involved with the campaign. ACT NOW!
Alternatively, e-mail your local trust or board, letting them know your concerns and making sure they are aware of the campaign. Use this opportunity to call upon them to ensure they have measures in place to guarantee that women have the choice of where to give birth. ACT NOW!
Got any questions?
Please visit our FAQ page and if you have any further questions please email campaigns@nct.org.uk. ; [original article]
Bumps and Babies groups
The Long Eaton Group meets at St John's Church Hall which is on the corner of Canal Street and College Street in Long Eaton. Come along any time after 10am and stay until 12noon when we have to leave. Plenty of biscuits, tea, coffee and soft drinks and people to talk to. We ask for a £2 donation to help cover the costs of hiring the venue and refreshments.
The West Bridgford Group meets at Rushcliffe Arena from 1.30pm-3pm. Again drinks and biscuits and the chance to chat are on offer.
Come along and say hello - everyone with a young baby is welcome - it's especially nice if you're wanting to venture out for the first time and worried about how you will manage.; [original article]
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Baby Groups
We have Bumps and Babies groups in Long Eaton and West Bridgford and local groups in Beeston, Wollaton and Bramcote.
You can find out more about what we have on offer by contacting localgroups@nctnottingham.org
NCT groups tend to be great places for going along to when you first want to venture out with your new baby.; [original article]
Monday, 16 November 2009
NCT West Bridgford Bumps & Babies - Pizza Express Coffee Mornings
NCT Bumps & Babies welcomes all parents-to-be and parents with babies up to 12 months old.
If you would like to join us, please email wbbumpsandbabies@nct.org.uk ; [original article]
Official Flickr Group
Your submissions will enable our charity to use a better variety of photographs in our publications. We may use your images for one of our publications but will request permission beforehand. ; [original article]
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Antenatal Courses
Beeston
Bramcote
Calverton
Cotgrave
Hucknall
Long Eaton
Because of this, the best way to find a course that's convenient for you is to enter the first part of your postcode e.g. NG8 into our Course Finder.
If it looks as though there are no courses available - the date input required restricts the results that are returned to you - please contact our bookings co-ordinator;
Email: bookings6b@nct.org.uk
Telephone: 0844 2436875
who can send you more information on all the courses we are offering.
We look forward to seeing you in our classes.; [original article]
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Advertising
If you have a product or service you would like to sell to mums - and dads - to-be, new parents, or young families, please contact us at advertise@nctnottingham.org.
Our advertising space gives local businesses the opportunity to reach a targeted audience of soon to-be and new parents.; [original article]
Friday, 13 November 2009
Nearly New Sales
Our next sale is in Long Eaton on Saturday, 20 March 2010 and you're already one step ahead of a lot of people by knowing that. But how can you maximise your chances of bagging the best bargains?
- Email "reminder" to our specific buyers' email address nearlynew@nctnottingham.org We'll send you a reminder about the sale. If for any unforeseen reason we have to change the sale venue or date, we'll let you know too.
- Become an NCT member. We'll let you in 15 minutes before everyone else.
- Volunteer to help - you'll be invited to the preview sale (that's about 20 mins before the members come in) as long as you help for a minimum of two hours. Shifts are available on the day of the sale but there are lots of pre-sale jobs too.
- It's still possible to get good quality stuff if you come along late but your choice will be limited.
If you want to sell your unwanted stuff, you'll need to register. YOU NEED TO REGISTER. NOW. Email: nctnottingham@yahoo.com or call 0700 5800 628. We send out information about six weeks before the sale. ABOUT SIX WEEKS BEFORE. Exactly how long before depends on the life of the volunteer who has to email all these people and pop stuff in the post. If you register now you will be included in that mailing but you'll need to get your forms back quickly.
Spaces for sellers are strictly limited and go very quickly.
The sale is run and staffed entirely by volunteers (so please don't get shirty with them if you don't get exactly what you want; they have given up precious family time to enable this sale to go ahead).
We take commission (it was 25% at the last sale) as our 'reward' for running this sale. The commission helps fund NCT projects both nationally and locally. Remember this when pricing your goods (all this will be explained in the info pack you receive.; [original article]
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Beeston Bumps and Babies
The group is hosted by NCT antenatal teacher, Annabelle, who teaches in Beeston. There is no charge for children under 12 months to get into the play centre. You will need to buy your own drinks and cakes. Older babies are welcome.; [original article]
Tell me more about NCT antenatal courses
There will be up to eight couples on the course so there is plenty of opportunity both to get to know others in the same situation and to find out more about your options for labour and birth and what life with a new baby can be like.
Although the course will always cover an overview of labour, your pain relief options and life with a new baby including breastfeeding, we will take into account what parents want to cover. So if there's something you're particularly concerned about you can add it to the agenda.
If you want to know more, contact Claire - 0844 243 6875 or email bookings6b@nct.org.uk - for an information pack.; [original article]
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Early Days helpline 0300 330 0773 - hours extended
Anyone needing information on the emotional, physical and social changes involved in the transition to parenthood and life with a new baby can simply dial 0300 330 0773 and be guaranteed a real person response between 9am and 1pm, five days a week (Monday to Friday). Calls to the line are answered by trained NCT postnatal leaders.; [original article]
Bumps and Babies groups
The Long Eaton Group meets at St John's Church Hall which is on the corner of Canal Street and College Street in Long Eaton. Come along any time after 10am and stay until 12noon when we have to leave. Plenty of biscuits, tea, coffee and soft drinks and people to talk to. We ask for a £2 donation to help cover the costs of hiring the venue and refreshments.
The West Bridgford Group meets at Rushcliffe Arena from 1.30pm-3pm. Again drinks and biscuits and the chance to chat are on offer.
Come along and say hello - everyone with a young baby is welcome - it's especially nice if you're wanting to venture out for the first time and worried about how you will manage.; [original article]
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Due in January or early February?
Monday, 9 November 2009
Annual General Meeting Reminder
This is your opportunity as members to find out more about what's been happening in Nottingham NCT-wise over the past year and to let us know what you'd like - and like to help us achieve - in the next twelve months.
Come along and meet the branch team and put faces names.
The AGM is a fairly informal event where everyone who has volunteered over the past year as well as our antenatal teachers (ANTs) and breastfeeding counsellors (BFCs) give short reports on what they've been doing to help parents locally. It's a great way to find out more about the branch and, if you're thinking about volunteering or training to be an ANT or BFC, a great way to meet everyone you'll be working alongside.
Copious amounts of drinks and biscuits, of course!; [original article]
Due in April 2010?
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Keep your brain active!
You can work to your own deadlines most of the time. Ok, if you volunteer to host a group, you have to, but once people are coming along, you're sure to find someone who will take over when you're on holiday/need a break/have a family crisis.
If you are the branch secretary your role mostly consists of passing on information and taking notes or minutes of meetings. Meetings are only held four times a year and you can bring along non-mobile babies (thinking about it, lots of them are non-mobile in the evenings).
There are lots of opportunities where you only need to respond to email in the early hours or when it suits you!
NCT is baby-friendly and no-one will be remotely concerned if you need to feed or just disappear to rock your baby to sleep.
In time you might consider training as a 'specialist worker' i.e. antenatal teacher, breastfeeding counsellor or postnatal leader. These are diploma qualifications accredited through the Univeristy of Bedfordshire and usually take 2-3 years to complete. The training requires attendance at monthly tutorials (might be 1-2 hours from home), a couple of weekends away on workshops, some study days and a fair few essays and practical assessments (teaching/counselling). A proportion of expenses of this training may be met by the NCT or by grant-awarding bodies.; [original article]
Saturday, 7 November 2009
New BEESTON Bumps and Babies starts this week
The group is hosted by NCT antenatal teacher, Annabelle, who teaches in Beeston. There is no charge for children under 12 months to get into the play centre. You will need to buy your own drinks and cakes. Older babies are welcome.; [original article]
Become a Nottingham NCT Volunteer
Most of our work is done independently, so how and when it's done is very flexible (when the children are at school, after the 2am feed when you can't get to sleep but your baby is sleeping soundly).
Lots of the work is online which means it's even more flexible to fit around your own lifestyle.
We have access to a lot of NCT emails and phone lines, making it easy to re-direct or auto-response NCT work when needed (e.g. holidays, children's sickness, your own commitment levels) and avoiding your personal details having to be publicised.
If you are interested in volunteering in any area please call 0844 243 6231 or email enquiries@nctnottingham.org.
We currently have vacancies for the following;
Newsletter editor
The editor's job is to pull together articles from local contributors and from the online resource. Our former editor did an excellent job of producing a thick booklet newsletter each quarter but anyone taking over this role is welcome to produce the newsletter in any format they think is appropriate - perhaps an A4 folded newsheet every month or two, instead of a 72 page glossy every quarter!
There is a specific email for people to contact "Inform" and an active e-group of editors around the country who can help with anything you need to know, such as where to find the cheapest printing or how to use desktop publishing software.
If you are interested please call 0844 243 6231 or email enquiries@nctnottingham.org.
Branch secretary
This role comprises receiving information from UK office to pass onto the branch, arranging committee meetings and taking minutes.
If you think you could do that please call 0844 243 6231 or email enquiries@nctnottingham.org.
Postnatal groups co-ordinator
Our postnatal groups co-ordinator would welcome help with setting up and supporting the various local bumps, babies and toddlers groups we have around Nottingham.
She receives enquiries and we would like to put people together in areas where we haven't got groups, so that new groups can be set up. Some work could also be done to support current groups and heighten the profile of NCT in these groups by ensuring that we have up-to-date literature, newsletters and promotional materials.
If you are interested please call 0844 243 6231 or email enquiries@nctnottingham.org.
Advertising co-ordinator
An advertising co-ordinator who is confident about following up any queries we get about advertising in the newsletter or website from local businesses.
We also get requests to hand out leaflets at our Nearly New Sales, postnatal and antenatal groups and the advertising co-ordinator would arrange for the correct number of leaflets to be in the right place at the right time, and the company to be invoiced.
If you are interested please call 0844 243 6231 or email enquiries@nctnottingham.org. ; [original article]
Just found out you're pregnant?
Friday, 6 November 2009
Surveys you could help with if you are pregnant
Refresher course
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Need a course urgently?
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Bumps and Babies groups
The Long Eaton Group meets at St John's Church Hall which is on the corner of Canal Street and College Street in Long Eaton. Come along any time after 10am and stay until 12noon when we have to leave. Plenty of biscuits, tea, coffee and soft drinks and people to talk to. We ask for a £2 donation to help cover the costs of hiring the venue and refreshments.
The West Bridgford Group meets at Rushcliffe Arena from 1.30pm-3pm. Again drinks and biscuits and the chance to chat are on offer.
Come along and say hello - everyone with a young baby is welcome - it's especially nice if you're wanting to venture out for the first time and worried about how you will manage.; [original article]
NCT Nottingham Annual General Meeting
Date Thursday, 12 November 2009
Opening times 19:30 - 22:00
Venue Bramcote Memorial Hall, Church Street, Bramcote, Nottingham, NG9 3HD
Come along and meet the branch team and put faces names.
The AGM is a fairly informal event where everyone who has volunteered over the past year as well as our antenatal teachers (ANTs) and breastfeeding counsellors (BFCs) give short reports on what they've been doing to help parents locally. It's a great way to find out more about the branch and, if you're thinking about volunteering or training to be an ANT or BFC, a great way to meet everyone you'll be working alongside.
Copious amounts of drinks and biscuits, of course!; [original article]
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Hospital Birth Survey
Would you mind taking a quick survey for the NCT?
If so, please click here.; [original article]
Monday, 2 November 2009
Welcome to Nottingham NCT.
Our activities include antenatal classes, three Nearly New Sales every year and local groups that meet up regularly. We also have a branch Breastfeeding Counsellor.
This branch is run entirely by volunteers and we are always looking for extra volunteers to lend a hand. Many of the jobs are very small or can be shared with someone else. Please email enquiries@nctnottingham.org.
Why not get together with your antenatal group and offer to stuff our newsletter into envelopes or count out tags for our Nearly New Sale? Every little bit helps; [original article]