Publish date: 15 May 2023
Tameside and Glossop ICFT's Family Nurse Partnership celebrated another successful year at an annual review last Thursday (11 May).
The partnership is a home visiting programme for first-time young mums and their families, available from mum’s first scan to their child’s second birthday.
The partnership, nurses and partner organisations came together at Dukinfield Town Hall for a party and to reflect on the last 12 months.
Elise Dawson, 18 (main picture), attended the event with her seven-month-old son Alfie. Elise began receiving support and advice from the partnership when she was 20-weeks pregnant, which was when she first met Family Nurse Kate Bowden.
Speaking about her experience, Elise said: “When I first met Kate she just wanted to know about me and learn about what I liked. She explained what she could do to help me, before and after Alfie was born.
“Alfie was premature, and Kate really helped me just after he was born. It was very reassuring to already have a relationship with her.
“Becoming a parent can be a very anxious time, Kate helped me understand that it was okay to feel like that.”
Also at the celebration was Heaven-Leigh Butterworth, aged 21, who praised the family nurses for always getting back to her quickly when she had a problem. Heaven-Leigh said, “I’d never really been around babies and the family nurses were the only reason I knew what to do. They’re always there to give support and advice without being ‘judgy’.”
The Tameside Family Nurse Partnership is a voluntary home-visiting programme for first-time young mums and families. It’s open to young women 19 and under, and helps them to have a healthy pregnancy, improve their child’s health and development and plan their own future.