Annual Members Meeting

Notice of Annual Members Meeting;

23 November · 19:30 - 22:30

Bramcote Memorial Hall
Church Street
Bramcote
Nottingham
NG9 3HD

Come and meet the team that makes Nottingham NCT work.

; [original article]

Nearly New Sale Volunteers Wanted

If you'd like to help out at any of our upcoming Nearly New Sales please contact us at ;

Bingham - 18 September 2010
Beeston - 09 October 2010
Mapperley - 20 November 2010

; [original article]

Bingham Nearly New Sale

The next NCT Nottingham Nearly New Sale will be in Bingham, at Bingham Methodist Church, Eaton Place, Bingham, NG13 8AD on Saturday 18 September, 2.30pm - 4pm; [original article]

NCT Nottingham online milestones

202 Facebook page likes.
176 Twitter followers;
96 Blogger posts;

and a lot of happy babies!

Nottingham's First Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party!

Come and join in the fun at the first ever Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party in Nottingham!

There will be jungle activities for kids of all ages, face painting, a tombola and homemade cakes. The raffle includes a Relaxation Day gift voucher worth £69 kindly donated by Eden Hall Day spa.

We hope to see you there.

The party is on Friday 6th August from 11am-2pm at West Bridgford Baptist Church on Melton Road and if people have queries then they can contact Beki on 07506746009 or email rgoddard2010@hotmail.co.uk; [original article]

Mapperley Nearly New Sale - tomorrow - Sat 10 July

Beat the recessions - come along and grab some bargains.

Relax with a cuppa and slice of homemade cake after you've made your purchases.

Eczema Research in Newborns - participants wanted

Are you pregnant? Does someone in your immediate family have (or had in the past) eczema, asthma or hay-fever? Then you may be eligible to take part in the NHS-funded BEEP (Barrier Enhancement for Eczema Prevention) study to look at preventing eczema in newborn babies.

Fifty families have already taken up the study but the University of Nottingham Dermatology Department is looking for more participants.

You can download more information from the NCT website or www.beeptudy.org

Seller pack for Mapperley NCT Nearly New Sale now available

If you would like to sell items at our Nearly New Sale in Mapperley, please download a copy of the seller pack from the Nottingham section of the NCT website.

You will need to act quickly - places for our last sale in Long Eaton were allocated within a few days of registration opening.

NCT Antenatal Refresher Courses

We're launching antenatal refresher classes in Long Eaton this summer for parents who are expecting their second or subsequent child.

The antenatal course lasts just one day and covers:

· Current birth and early parenthood matters

· Discussing your past birth experiences

· Integrating you baby into family life

· Sibling rivalry

· Your wishes and hopes for this pregnancy

Classes will be held on the following dates:

Friday 6 August - 10am to 4pm
Friday 17 September - 10am to 4pm
Friday 19 November - 10am to 4pm
Friday 14 January - 10am to 4pm

The cost is £60.80 per couple. Concessions giving discounts of up to 90% are available - more information is here but please ask if you need clarification.

Antenatal refresher courses are also available in Calverton on

Friday 25 June
Friday 22 October

Information about these and other antenatal courses offered across Nottingham are available from Claire Thorpe, email bookings6b@nct.org.uk or phone 0844 2436875

NCT Stars Awards 2010

Nottingham branch were thrilled to be nominated for the 2010 NCT Stars Awards in the category of Communication.

The nomination was made because of the overhaul in our methods of communicating to our local members, and other local mums and dads.

- our newly-launched newsletter, which aims to 'keep it local' - the editors visit our Bumps and Babies groups to find hints and tips, and gather material for the newsletter.

- our blogs, those of the branch as a whole and the blogs for our various Bumps and Babies groups - Long Eaton, Beeston and West Bridgford. These automatically feed through to

- our Facebook page which also holds our event diary and

- our Twitter account

All of these contain links to the Nottingham section of the NCT website, which gives even more information about the branch including our antenatal classes, Bumps and Babies, Nearly New Sales and breastfeeding help.

All of the above give members and anyone else who is interested a variety of ways to find out what's happening in Nottingham.

Unfortunately we didn't win but we were delighted to be shortlisted.

If you'd like to join our almost-award-winning team and help us improve our services over the next year, please get in touch.

Swishing - a fine time had by all

On Tuesday evening a number of women made their way to Long Eaton, bringing with them clothes carriers, plastic bags and posh carrier bags.

In these bags they had their wardrobe mistakes and favourite outgrown items - a silk linen dress from Jaegar, shoes from New Look, an evening dress last worn at a 40th birthday party, etc.

On arrival they were offered a glass of fizz and shown to a room of rails where they hung their clothing. Jewellery, handbags and scarves were put out on a large display table.

Over the course of the evening everyone had chance to try on whatever they fancied, and if they didn't like it, to put it back on the rail and try something else. The atmosphere was great with people chatting and socialising.

Drinks were topped up and nibbles passed around and at the end of the evening, everyone went home with at least a couple of new-to-them items (some items were brand new with tags!). Leftover clothes were donated to charity if the original owners didn't want to take them back.

It was a lot of fun and an easy way to raise some money (about £40 on donations at the door) as well as being great for the environment by recycling fashion items. Not to mention grabbing a bargain.

If you would like to organise a Swish to raise money for the NCT please contact us to find out more. We have rails that you can borrow to help display the clothing and can help with invitations and publicity.

Amber Valley NCT Nearly New Sale

Date Saturday 8th May 2010

Opening times 11 - 12.30

Venue Belper Community Hall, Bridge Street, Belper (behind the library)

Map View on Google Maps (This map may not be entirely accurate if only the postcode area has been entered. Please double check the postcode).

Summary Good quality baby/children's clothers, indoor and outdoor toys, nursery equipment and maternity wear....all at bargain prices.

Email ambervalleynct@googlemail.com or call 0844 243 6029 to register to sell or to offer to help.

NCT members get in 15 minutes before the advertised start time, bring your membership card.

Contact

Jenny Lesley
Email: ambervalleynct@googlemail.com
Telephone: 0844 243 6029

Forthcoming antenatal courses in Nottingham

Long Eaton Antenatal Courses
Thursday evenings - 6 May to 24 June 2010 - Places available
Saturday mornings - 8 May to 29 May 2010 - Fully booked

Cotgrave Antenatal Courses
Sundays, intensive - 16 and 23 May 2010 - Fully booked
Saturdays, intensive - 5 and 12 June 2010 - Places available

Beeston Antenatal Courses
Saturday afternoons - 5 June to 17 July 2010 - Places available
Wednesday evenings - 9 June to 28 July 2010 - Fully booked

Course prices vary from £97.20 to £152.80. Please check the NCT website for more information about each course.

Reduced price options

We would like to make sure every parent can benefit from our courses. We therefore have lower prices for parents on lower incomes or in receipt of certain benefits. These concessions vary, from small discounts of 5% to a maximum reduction of 90% off the full course fee.

Please ask the booking administrator for more details. She will be delighted to help you. ; [original article]

Nearby Nearly New Sales this weekend and next

If you're looking for good quality bargains for your baby, you could do worse than checking out this weekend's NCT Nearly New Sales in Worksop and Chellaston.

Worksop
Date: Saturday 17th April
Opening times: 10am-12pm
Venue: Chellaston Foundation School and Technology College, Swarkestone Road, Chellaston, Derby


Chellaston
Date: Saturday 17th April
Opening times: 10am-12pm
Venue: Chellaston Foundation School and Technology College, Swarkestone Road, Chellaston, Derby


Next weekend is Loughborough's sale

Date: Saturday 24th April 2010
Opening times: 10.30 - 12.30
Venue: Burleigh Community College, Loughborough, LE11 4SQ (main hall and gymnasium) GATE 4


; [original article]

Cotgrave - Antenatal Class places available

We've had a huge demand for classes recently on the West Bridgford side of town and as a result are running the following courses:

15 April - Eight Thursday evening sessions - £152.80* - 4 places available
17 April - Two consecutive Saturdays - SOLD OUT
18 April - Two consecutive Sundays - £127* - 4 places available

*Discounts of up to 90% are available on courses as NCT standard policy. More information is available here.

If you have been looking for a class or have a friend who is looking and would like to join either of the courses with spaces, please contact Claire Thorpe, our bookings co-ordinator on bookings6b@nct.org.uk or 0844 2436875. Alternatively, please complete the request form on the NCT website which you can reach by clicking on the course dates above.; [original article]

Mapperley Nearly New Sale - Saturday 10 July

The next NCT Nottingham Nearly New Sale will take place in Mapperley on Saturday 10 July in 2010.

More information will follow as soon as we have it - please check our website regularly for more information.

We are looking for people to make up a Nearly New Team to help spread the load since our former Sale Organiser resigned earlier this year. The impact of losing a key figure put all our sales in jeopardy so we are aiming to spread the load to ensure the safety of future sales.

Details of how to volunteer can be found on our website or you can speak to your antenatal teacher, Bumps and Babies host or come along to an NCT volunteer meeting. The next one will be held on Tuesday 20 April, at 10am to 12noon Long Eaton.; [original article]

Eczema Research - participants wanted

Are you pregnant? Does someone in your immediate family have (or had in the past) eczema, asthma or hay-fever? Then you may be eligible to take part in the NHS-funded BEEP (Barrier Enhancement for Eczema Prevention) study to look at preventing eczema in newborn babies.

The University of Nottingham Department of Dermatology is looking for particpants for this study.

You can download more information from the Nottingham NCT website or visit BEEP study.

New from Nottingham NCT - Breastpump hire through our breastfeeding counsellor

You can now hire breastpumps from a local representative who can help you work out exactly what you need to suit your circumstances.

Hire rate per day £1.20 (5 days' hire is the minimum)
Discounted rates are available for special circumstances e.g. baby in hospital, in receipt of certain benefits

30 days' hire including one collection set £44.00

30 days' hire including 2 collection sets £48.00

Subsequent 30 days £26.00

Local breastfeeding counsellor, Deborah, explains:

"A 'collection set' is the bit that you attach onto your breast and the bottle that the milk goes into (imagine a hand pump without the squeezy pumping bit). Each Mum buys her own one of these to avoid cross contamination. You need two if you want to pump from both breasts at the same time. You can also buy a little device that turns these ito a hand pump so you can keep it and use it after you've finished with the electric pump."

For more information give Deborah a call on 07900 81602.

; [original article]

Nearly New Sale in Long Eaton

The sale in Long Eaton yesterday went really smoothly from the organisers' point of view and we managed to clear the hall by about 2 o'clock and get home for an afternoon with our families.

We're really grateful to everyone who helped make the sale a success - the buyers, the sellers and the volunteers. THANK YOU for everything you did, for all your hard work and the effort you put in.

At the moment there are no definite plans for future sales, although there are tentative plans for one in Mapperley in the autumn. We need a few people to help with key parts of the organisation, so if you are willing and able please get in touch with us.

Details of future sales, and other events that we run, will be published on here, and on our website NCT Nottingham.

We also welcome feedback and comments, which you can leave here or contact us on nearlynew@nctnottingham.org; [original article]

Nearly New Sale - Saturday 20 March

It's full steam ahead for the NCT Nottingham nearly New Sale in Long Eaton this weekend.

Please note: it is at the Long Eaton school as usual but this time it's all in one big hall - the Sports Hall.

7am - organisers arrive

From 7am - helpers welcome

8.00am - sellers and helpers arrive

9.45am - NCT members allowed in

10.00am - General public allowed in

11.45am - Doors closed/sale ends

Entry is £1 per adult.

Refreshments will be available to purchase.

Please remember the sale gets really busy and you might find it easier to leave children and pushcairs at home.

Payment is by cash or cheque (to limit on guarantee card) only; [original article]

NCT class - all girls

Beth Moran, who teaches NCT classes in Calverton, made it into the Evening Post this week.

A recent class of six couples all produced girls - the first time this has happened in one of Beth's classes.

You can read the original article on the Evening Post website ; [original article]

Reclaiming Birth - The March

It's probably difficult for most of us who have not experienced the midwifery care which was available to those serviced by the Albany Midwifery Practice in Peckham, London, to understand what all the fuss was about this weekend. A March to Reclaim Birth? What was all that about then?

The families who did experience this care feel extremely upset that the midwives' contract with Kings' has been terminated leaving them less choice in how their babies will be born.

There are many sources of information on the internet - links below - so I won't repeat them here. But in the meantime here is a message from the CEO of NCT, Belinda Phipps, who took part in the March this weekend.

Well, what a wonderful day we had yesterday! The sun shone and the marchers were in great voice!

As part of the Reclaiming Birth campaign that the NCT works on with AIMS, IM UK, ARM, RCM, Albany Midwives and Albany Mums, we marched yesterday from Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in Lambeth to Whitehall, where we staged a rally outside the Department of Health building. We marched behind a specially branded bus, from the top of which were
delivered speeches at the end. Speeches were made by Professor Wendy Savage, Beverley Beech, Duncan Fisher, John Skuse, Emma Beamish, Becky Reed, Annie Francis, Gail Werkmeister and me.

It was a brilliant day for all concerned, and we're really proud to have been involved. But, the job's not done yet. We still don't have enough midwives, and we still don't have continuity of care and one-to-on during labour. To make this happen, we need steps to be taken, such as
contracting Independent Midwives into the NHS. And you can help make this happen!

To read more about the Reclaiming Birth campaign, and to take action to bring it to the attention of decision-makers throughout the UK, visit the NCT's Reclaiming Birth page at www.nct.org.uk/active and take the very quick and easy actions there. Tell your AM/MLA/MP/MSP to get behind the campaign, and encourage your local MSLC to demand change from your local PCT.

Hope to see you all at the next march!

Belinda

Save the Albany

Albany Midwives


; [original article]

Reclaiming Birth - Sunday 7 March 2010

Reclaiming Birth is a campaign by NCT, AIMS, ARM, IM UK and Albany Mums about the standard of maternity services throughout the UK. We want parents-to-be to have the best opportunity to start family life in the optimum way. Our concerns cover a range of issues.

Many women and their partners are left alone in labour and get little support from overstretched midwives. Parents-to-be often don't have access to the services and support they need for the birth of their baby to be a safe, positive and life affirming event.

This will only change when there are more midwives, more women being able to birth in free-standing midwifery units (Birth Centres) or at home and more midwives carrying their own caseloads and looking after parents-to-be from conception to birth and postnatally. Few parents-to-be currently have any of these options.

For more information including a rally guide and downloadable posters:

The NCT website
Save the Albany website

Sea Life Centres - discounted tickets

NCT has once again teamed up with Merlin Entertainment to bring you a fantastic offer at SEA LIFE centres & Sanctuaries across the UK. There is 50% discount on tickets when you buy through the NCT.

There are centres in Birmingham, Brighton, Blackpool, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Scarborough, Weymouth, Gweek, Hunstanton and Oban.

This offer not only saves you money, but it also raises money for the NCT as we get a donation for each ticket bought through the NCT!

For more details of this fantastic offer check the NCT website; [original article]

1st Nottingham Birth Conference

Aimed at women, fathers and families, midwives, maternity care professionals, doulas, healthcare students and everyone interested in childbirth, the 1st Nottingham Birth Conference, which is being organised by the Nottingham branch of the Royal College of Midwives, is taking place on Saturday 6 March at the Djanogly City Academy.

The theme of the conference is "Normality and Childbirth: Evidence, Experience and Debate" and there are some excellent speakers:

• Denis Walsh - Implications of the Albany Group’s Experience for Midwifery-Led Services.

• Mary Cronk - Breech presentation and place of birth.

• Suzanne Colson - Biological Nurturing: a new approach to breastfeeding.

• Mavis Kirkham, Researcher, Clinical Midwife and Author - Birthing in trust or in fear? Homebirth and the contradictions of modern maternity care.

• Alison Atkinson, Amanda Sullivan and Sascha Wells - NHS Maternity Service Leaders, Nottingham

Several NCT antenatal teachers and breastfeeding counsellors will be representing the NCT in the exhibition and available to talk to delegates about what the NCT is doing locally.

Price: £40 per person (includes lunch)

For a booking form go to Nottingham RCM or email your details to the Birth Conference organisers.

If you do not have access to email, please call Lisa or Eleanor on 0115 846 9299

; [original article]

Birthplace Transfer Study

Posted on behalf of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit

The Birthplace Transfer Study is part of a larger study which aims to
find out what happens to women who are transferred from a midwifery unit
to a hospital obstetric unit during labour. The study will explore and
describe what women think and feel about this experience so that the
process of transfer can be improved for women in the future.

I've had a great response from previous requests for help, but would
still like to hear from women who were having a second or subsequent
baby and women who were transferred in an emergency or had a
particularly traumatic experience.

Women who were transferred from a midwifery unit or birth centre (either
freestanding or alongside a consultant unit in a hospital) to a hospital
consultant obstetric unit during labour in the past 12 months are
eligible to take part in this study. Participants would take part in an
interview about their experiences, either in their own home or at
another convenient location.

If you are interested in taking part please contact Rachel Rowe on 01865
289713 or rachel.rowe@npeu.ox.ac.uk; [original article]

Would you like to work from home? NCT job vacancies

The NCT is looking for several home-based administrators across the UK to take bookings for the various courses we run.

To find out more, follow the links to the Jobs section of the NCT website. ; [original article]

Maternity and Newborn Service Review

There are only a couple of weeks left for you to have your say on Maternity Services in the Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire area.

Responses to this review will determine the maternity care that you - and other parents - receive in this area and may alter the treatment of your newborn baby.

It's essential that as many people as possible who have recently had babies answer their questions.

If something is not seen to be important, it may disappear.

So if you would have liked:

- to have seen the same midwife throughout your pregnancy
- to feel you had more choice on where your baby was born
- more time to decide where your baby was born
- a tour around the place where you'd planned for your baby to be born
- a home birth
- better surroundings in the hospital/different facilities in your room
- easier access to antenatal appointments
- more antenatal preparation for labour, birth and parenting

and a whole lot more...

please visit the Maternity and Newborn Review website and answer their questionnaire.

; [original article]

West Bridgford Bumps and Babies - Puddleducks

Liz from Puddle Ducks (a new baby and toddler swim school that has just launched in Nottingham) is coming in to talk to us on Thursday 4th March (the session will run as usual from 1.30pm and I have asked Liz to come along to give a half hour input at 2pm)

--
Claire
West Bridgford Bumps and Babies; [original article]

Nearly New Sale helpers needed

We're looking for helpers for our next Nearly New Sale. If you can help please contact our helpers' email or talk to your Bumps and Babies host or antenatal teacher.

Helpers are needed:

• Friday evening to set up the venue
• Saturday morning from 8am to accept goods from sellers and set up ready for sale
• Saturday morning throughout the sale
• Saturday early afternoon until about 2pm to clear up

Mums, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all welcome to help.

The sale is on Saturday 20 March at the Long Eaton School from 10am to 11.45am (NCT members with membership card can enter at 9.45am).

Admission is £1 per adult. We sell clothing for children newborn to 10 years old, maternity wear, nursery equipment and toys. We recommend that you do not bring pushchairs or your children to this event as it can be extremely busy and crowded. ; [original article]

Reminder - 5 minute mummy makeovers at LE B&B tomorrow

Lorna will be in tomorrow to help you with some tips for looking good. Having become a mum herself in the past year, she knows just what you changes you have been going through and what challenges you are facing!

Oh mustn't forget - she needs a model. Volunteers welcome.

See you in the morning.

--
Sue; [original article]

Looking for a last minute antenatal class?

There are a couple of spaces on each of the following courses:

Calverton -4 and 5 February, 9.30am-3.30pm £91.20


Long Eaton - 6 Feb, & 20 Feb 10am-4pm, with women only session on 11 Feb (morning) and evening session 23 Feb £150.80


Calverton (refresher) - 12 Feb 9.30am - 3.30pm £60.80

Discounts are available of up to 90%

For more information email Claire Thorpe or call her on 0844 2436875

; [original article]

Postnatal exercise at Long Eaton B&B this Thursday

Vanessa from Pushy Mothers is coming along this Thursday, 28 January 2010 to talk to mums about postnatal exercise which can be done with your baby in tow.

Vanessa has to leave at about 11.15 to get elsewhere to teach a class so the demo will take place slightly earlier than usual, at about 10.30am

See you there!

--
Sue
; [original article]

100 facebook fans!

We've now got over 100 fans on our Facebook page!

If you haven't already joined, head on over and become a fan. It's an easy way to keep up-to-date with what's going on in the Nottingham branch of NCT.

On our page you can

- See what's coming up in our Bumps and Babies Groups, and photos of previous events

- Spot familiar faces amongst our fans

- Find out about last minute availability on our antenatal courses

- Learn more about our Nearly New Sales

Nottingham NCT on Facebook

; [original article]

Our youngest ever attendee at Long Eaton Bumps and Babies

At just three days old, baby Theo became the youngest ever attendee at Bumps and Babies in Long Eaton. Many congratulations to parents Laura and Rob!; [original article]

Nearly New Sales - Next Sale 20 March 2010

How popular are our Nearly New Sales? Let's just say one reason we moved the venue was traffic problems. There are rumours of fights over toys but that's because our quality control ensures that only the best items are put out on display.

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?

The Facebook event for this Nearly New Sale is here.

- 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]

Beeston Bumps and Babies gets off to great start in 2010

A record number of 14 mums and 15 babies came along to last Friday's NCT Bumps and Babies at Denz in Beeston.

We now have a collection of baby toys and some throws for the babies to have a roll around on. All these were made good use of immediately by our eager gang!!

You don't need to be an NCT member, nor to have attended NCT antenatal classes to join Bumps and Babies and it's a great way to meet others with similar-aged children.

Come and join us every Friday (term-time) between 1pm and 3pm.


--
Annabelle
NCT Antenatal Teacher and Bumps and Babies Host, Beeston
; [original article]

Support the NCT with the UK's favourite Child Trust Fund provider

NCT is proud to have teamed up with the UK’s favourite Child Trust Fund (CTF) provider, Family Investments, to provide CTFs to our members and supporters. For each CTF sold Family Investments will pay a commission payment to the NCT.

Together we hope that new parents all over the UK will consider this Child Trust Fund to support their child in the future while also supporting the NCT.; [original article]

Long Eaton Bumps and Babies - forthcoming events

Jan 21 - Tomono from Cocoro - our Japanese event with food, clothing, etc. And a great opportunity for your baby to feature in photos!

Feb 4 (provisional) - Virgin Vie. Many of our activities focus on your baby; here's one that Just for You. 5-minute mummy makeovers. Some tips on how to get a "going back to work" look, or an "I'm feeling fat and frumpy, make me gorgeous again" look. Anyone up for Before and After shots?

Feb 18 - Jo Jingles with Gaynor. A chance to try these ever-popular music, singing and movement sessions.

More details of how to find us are available by following the links in the title or at the end of this post.

See you soon,

--
Sue

; [original article]

Antenatal courses in the Nottingham area

We're experiencing our usual January surge in demand for antenatal courses. Is it because everyone goes home and breaks the news to family at Christmas (I broke the news to my family when we went home for Easter) and then books their NCT antenatal course?

Claire, our local administrator, is doing all she can to get information out to you on the courses we have available. If you go straight through to her voicemail don't worry - she is on to it and as long as you leave your name and number clearly she can get back to you.

If you can't find a course that suits you using the NCT's course finder, please get in touch with Claire as she not only has all the information at her fingertips but she's able to gauge demand according to the enquiries she receives and can ask local antenatal teachers to lay on extra courses.

We regularly run classes in Beeston, Calverton, Cotgrave and Long Eaton with less frequent classes in Bramcote and Hucknall.

Courses run in a variety of formats - weekday evenings, weekday daytime, Saturday mornings or afternoons, consecutive Saturdays or Sundays - so there's almost certainly going to be something that suits you.

Most people coming along to courses are expecting their first baby - or first baby with a new partner - but we also run refresher courses.

For more information about courses click on the title or contact Claire by phone on 0844 2436875 or by email

We look forward to meeting you on our courses

Annabelle, Beth, Clare, Elaine, Philippa, Sam and Sue

Nottingham NCT Antenatal Teachers and Student Teachers

; [original article]

Next branch meeting for anyone who is interested in finding out more about how NCT Nottingham works

The next team meeting for Nottingham NCT is being held in West Bridgford on Thursday 14 January from 8pm to 10pm. Babies are very welcome!

There's a lot up for discussion

Long Eaton NNS
What we want to do this year and
Finance - how we're going to raise money to do it! How are finances at the moment?
NCT "Big Weekend" in Telford
New newsletter
Possible events e.g.
- Pamper Evening
- Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party

If you are interested in helping with any of these, or just finding out more about the NCT and how it runs, please email us and we'll let you know the address and make sure someone is there to buddy up with you (and we'll be able to let you know it's off too, if this snow keeps on falling like this!)

--
Sue
; [original article]

A message from Belinda Phipps, CEO of NCT

A look back ....

As 2009 draws to a close I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped in any way to make a difference for parents this year.

The NCT is nothing without its volunteers and branches.

Our 103,000 members and volunteers, between 10,000 and 16,000 (we think), are the people that do the work of the NCT. It is you that are in touch with about 350,000 parents a year. You put on countless Bumps and Babies events, Nearly New Sales, coffees, events for dads, send millions of newsletters each year and run websites and facebooks and twitter and all sorts right across the UK. Between you give hundreds and thousands of people the chance to meet and get to know each other, make friends and feel part of the community of people that are doing the work of raising the next generation.

Someone said to me that this doesn't seem a big or important thing to do but when you know that the biggest cause of death in mothers with a child under a year old is suicide and the postnatal depression rate in women is over 20% (we don't know the level in men because it's not measured) and one third - yes one third - of all women recall their birth as traumatic (citing lack of support and medical interventions as the reason) and the relationship breakdown for couples is highest in the year after birth and .... so you can see what we do is vital and can be life saving - in the physical or mental health sense - so it is important, really important. It is clear that stressed and depressed parents find it much harder to be the sort of parents they wanted to be.

You also work with the public sector providing volunteer support along side them and you have a NCT reps representing parents on MSLCs and other bodies across the UK, working to make the policies we have successfully had the governments and assemblies put in place (we will get there in N Ireland and the islands too soon) real with action by the service provides, not always a popular role with the health service and others, but vital.

As well as this you raise millions, yes millions, of pounds between your membership fees and the fundraising you do. Some of this money you spend locally to make a difference but the majority you pass on to the UK office and we use much of it to train new breastfeeding counsellors and antenatal teachers and postnatal leaders. We have nearly 1000 qualified workers and we will be training 1200 students to diploma level by the spring. They are in contact with about 120,000 parents through courses and class and the individual breastfeeding support given as volunteers by the breastfeeding counsellors and on the 3 phone lines which your fundraising pays for.

By paying the salaries of the staff team you also enable us to get our messages across in the media, to lobby and campaign in each of the countries to influence what research is done. The healthcare commission survey done a while ago was lobbied for by us, led by an NCT member who was employed to do it and written in close consultation. It can now be seen in user friendly format on Birthchoice UK which is a site developed and run by an NCT antenatal teacher.

You pay for the NCT website and the work of writing and editing the information that's up there

You pay for Perspective, a publication that goes to 12,000 midwives to encourage them to support parents in the way they want in line with evidence.

You pay for Bumps and Babies, a free magazine for parents and for Stepping Stones a free e mail stage by stage resource, so parents don't have to rely on commercially produced information which may well have the sales motive behind it rather than the good of parents.

Some of you also volunteer directly for the UK office, giving us expertise, or writing or being case studies for the media - taking photos and all sorts so to these volunteers thank you.

And most of you do all this knowing you will not benefit yourselves because you have had your babies, you do this for the next generation of mothers, fathers and babies, and NCT members in the past did it for you.

So thank you. Thank your on behalf of all those parents who never became NCT members, who never knew it was you that did the thing that made the difference for them. We know, so thank you.

Belinda NCT CEO
b_phipps@nct. org.uk
07976 272 305

(if you want to ask/say anything that your branch coordinator or regional coordinator can't answer then e mail enquires@nct. org.uk or to find out more come to the Big Weekend )
; [original article]

Long Eaton Bumps and Babies - upcoming events

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2010, however you say it (two thousand and ten or twenty ten?). I hope the first Christmas with your new babies was fantastic (yes, I've seen some of your photos on facebook and they were gorgeous) and that the various pieces of pottery made during our session were well received.

7 January - first session of 2010

14 January - Hayley from Sole Nutrition is coming along to talk about how reflexology could help your baby. Some of you may have reflexology during pregnancy and/or labour and found it helpful; here's the chance to find out more about using it with children.

21 January - Tomono from Cocoro is bringing along baby kimonos, Japanese food and toys. Some of you may already have heard of Tomono through Helen and Meredith, as Meredith has done some modelling for Tomono's website.

In February - we are hoping to have a postnatal fitness demonstration

In March/April - we've invited a local baby music group to come along

If there's anyone you'd like to come along and demonstrate to the group so you can find out more about them and their activities, please let me know.

And don't forget our new "Hot Topic" piece where we try to help those with younger babies learn from the experience of those with older babies. I'll be asking for your suggestions on Thursday.

Best wishes,

Sue.; [original article]