You've got a friend in me

Last week we shared Alexandra’s story; a mum helped by her local perinatal support service after struggling with anxiety and depression following her baby’s ill health.

Alexandra’s story isn’t a one-off though, and there are many more families in need of support. Emily, a full-time mum to three boys, is the Perinatal Volunteer Befriender who helped Alexandra to overcome her anxieties.

“I had three very different perinatal experiences” explains Emily. “The baby blues, pinks and a long period of anxiety, brought on by my youngest son’s diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome at three weeks old.

“When I heard Sure Start was looking for perinatal befrienders I jumped at the chance to be involved; it was the kind of support that I’d needed at my lowest periods.

“Alexandra was fantastic to be around and very open about her feelings. We went out and conquered lots of personal challenges together. Today, she is a lot more confident and knows she has great strengths and abilities, especially as a mum. She has overcome a lot in a short period of time. It’s simple but so effective, to know that someone is there for you; especially if they understand how you feel or what you’re dealing with.

“Befriending is great. I get to meet and socialise with lots of lovely new families. I enjoy the work role aspect too; I’ve gained lots of experience from working in the office and completing paperwork.”

“Children's Centres are priceless for mums” says Emily. “They can find out about what services are available that suit their needs and how their families can benefit. Brill!”

If you’re interested in becoming a Perinatal Volunteer Befriender, contact your local Children’s Centre Coordinator.