https://dorsetcouncil-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/free-breastfeeding-peer-support-training-for-parents

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) Dorset is looking for mums who are passionate about breastfeeding to train as breastfeeding peer supports and volunteer across the county supporting parents. BfN Dorset is commissioned by Public Health Dorset to provide families in Dorset with evidence-based information and support with a range of everyday breastfeeding challenges, support with positioning and attachment as well as emotional and moral support. From pregnancy through to natural term weaning, combi-feeding, expressing or exclusively breastfeeding, all parents are welcome at any stage of their journey. 

The training on offer is fully funded and gives mums the opportunity to gain an OCN accredited level 2 qualification. Mums will then go on to volunteer in their local community, offering friendly support and information to other parents, as well a safe space and a community for likeminded parents.

Our volunteers receive regular supervision sessions to help with their ongoing training and support needs, and become part of the wider Breastfeeding Network team, as well as being able to go on and complete further training if they want to (dependent on availability of funding).

The next BfN Dorset Level 2 peer helpers course is running from 20 April, it will last for twelve weeks, with one two hour session per week and is all delivered online via Zoom.

The Breastfeeding Network Dorset is looking for volunteers to complete the course that can go on to volunteer in their local communities across Dorset, particularly: 

• Somerford (Monday mornings)
• Weymouth (Monday mornings)
• Blandford (Friday mornings)
• Wareham/Bovington (day tbc)
• Dorchester (day tbc)
• Sherborne (Tuesday mornings)
• Our most recently launched support group in Boscombe (Monday mornings)

Sam Morris, Peer Helper volunteer says

“I’m very privileged to support families when they’re growing and moving into the next stage of their life, as much as I can help others, it’s personally rewarding to be in this lucky position too.”

Ashley Gallimore, the Breastfeeding Network Dorset Service Manager says

“Our service relies on our amazing volunteers to support parents, and our training courses really equip our volunteers to do this. The OCN accreditation means that our volunteers are gaining a qualification and valuable experience whilst also doing something they’re all so passionate about. We’re so excited to expand our team of volunteers!”

If you are interested in becoming a peer helper, fill in the application form: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/30859-2/ 

More information about the support groups in Dorset can be found here: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dorset/  

Polly Durrant
polly.durrant@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Dorset Council’s budget of £348m for 2023-24 has been approved by councillors at the Full Council meeting on 14 February. This continues the council’s commitment to maintain frontline services, without the need for cuts to balance the budget. Dorset Council provides around 450 different services to just under 380,000 residents.

This year’s budget setting exercise took place against a national background of extreme pressures for councils. These pressures include the high level of inflation which affects the cost of delivering council services, and also the continued growth in need for social care services as a result of the ageing population. Council tax will increase next year by just under 2% and the adult social care precept by 2%. This is less than the maximum 5% increase available to councils, as outlined in the Government’s Spending Review in December 2022. The increase is equivalent to £1.40 extra per week for a Band D property.

Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy, said: “We have developed this balanced budget in a national context of significant financial challenge. Our overriding aim has been to protect the essential frontline council services on which local residents and businesses rely. “The proposals do include a council tax increase; however, we have kept to it to the minimum possible despite the current high level of inflation. And we continue to provide a range of support for those residents hardest hit by the cost of living. “Since becoming a unitary council in 2019, we have made efficiency savings of £76 million. This money has been reinvested to protect frontline services, including funding the growing need for adult social care with our ageing population. Our prudent budget management has meant that Dorset has not faced the same cuts to essential services as many other areas. “However, we continue to lobby Government for fairer funding for Dorset so that we can reduce the burden on local taxpayers in future.”

Contact Information Communications Team comms@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk