Mothers across the North West report lack of consistent care during pregnancy and post birth

THE NSPCC has found that only 11% of mothers in the North West could recall seeing the same health professional in the health reviews that take place during pregnancy and up to their child turning one, according to a recent YouGov poll. The survey of mothers with children aged 1 to 3 revealed that as well as 10%, seeing a new person each time, 24%, had a letter, phone call or text message instead of a face to face visit. Mothers were asked about their experience of the 1st 4 health reviews that take place during pregnancy and up to their child's 1st birthday. Worryingly, despite a maternal mental health check in being a requirement at each review, 38%, of mums in the North West said their health professional didn't establish a relationship where they could share concerns about their wellbeing. 26%, of mothers reported rarely being asked about their mental health. Led by health visitors, all families in England are legally entitled to receive 5 check ins from qualified health professionals via the Healthy Child Programme. This starts during pregnancy and continues at regular intervals until their child reaches 2½. Cuts of 15% to the public health budget however, have raised concerns that health visitors are not able to provide families across the country with the support they need. This coupled with a 31% decline in NHS health visitors has led to an increase of caseloads for those still in the profession that is well above the recommended 250 safe limit. With perinatal mental health problems affecting up to 1 in 5 mothers and up to 1 in 10 fathers, the NSPCC believes that families must be supported by a consistent health visitor. This continuity of care is vital to enable parents to open up about any worries and for early signs and symptoms of mental health concerns to be spotted and supported.

In 2019 the Government announced it was going to modernise the Healthy Child Programme to ensure it meets the needs of families[vi]. Ahead of the upcoming budget and spending review, the NSPCC's Fight for a Fair Start campaign is urging the Government to invest in the public health grant so mums and babies get the care they need. Natalie, a mother from Nottinghamshire said:- "During and after my 1st 2 pregnancies my mental health suffered desperately. All my health visitors were lovely but by necessity they had to rush. The focus was all on the baby, which I do understand but if a health visitor doesn't get to know you, it's hard for them to tell when you're not yourself. With my youngest I was older and I felt more prepared, but I still wanted someone to talk to, especially about how I felt. It can be such a lonely time."

Andrew Fellowes, Public Affairs Manager at the NSPCC said:- "We know that when parents experience poor mental health, as well as this having a detrimental impact on them it can seriously affect their child's development too. The Healthy Child Programme provides a vital opportunity to pick up on perinatal mental health problems early and provide the necessary support for the whole family, but successive cuts to the public health grant mean local areas are struggling to provide the care they know people need. An investment of ₤700m in services for children under 4 will ensure every area of England is able to provide the standard of public health service all families are entitled to. This is essential if we are to guarantee mental health problems don't slip under the radar."

The NSPCC's Fight for a Fair Start campaign has been supported by Jo Malone London which also fund direct services to new and prospective parents, focusing on supporting parents with their mental health problems to help them develop secure and healthy relationships with their children. The NSPCC is inviting people to join the thousands who have already raised their voice and signed the Fight for a Fair Start petition.

Young entrepreneur from Liverpool teams up with Fearne Cotton and The Prince's Trust to launch The Great Create

A local entrepreneur who was supported into business by The Prince's Trust has joined Forces with the youth charity to launch a new fundraising initiative that will boost the wellbeing of young people. Together with Fearne Cotton and her Happy Place initiative, The Prince's Trust has launched The Great Create, which encourages people to have a go at making something together and discover how good it feels to get creative while raising vital funds to help young people. The initiative is supported by STAEDTLER and their triplus range of creative products. Jayne Tapp, from Liverpool, is supporting The Great Create because she's experienced the benefits of getting creative 1st hand. Jayne found that creative activities helped her to get back on track after a mystery illness left her bedbound. Passionate about encouraging others to get stuck in, Jayne is calling on the people of Liverpool to host their own Great Create parties during the month of March 2020. She said:- "In making things together we can improve our own wellbeing, and the great thing about The Great Create is that we can support the wellbeing of other young people at the same time by fundraising for The Prince's Trust."

Jayne moved to York in 2013 for a management trainee job and an exciting start to her career. However, after just 3 months, Jayne collapsed during a meeting and had endless tests at Hospital that proved inconclusive. Her health had deteriorated so much that she was now bedbound and needed help with simple tasks, such as brushing her hair, showering and eating.   "I was eventually diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME. Although it was a relief to have a diagnosis, I soon realised my health would never get back to how it was and that finding a job to suit my needs would be difficult. It was during this time that I found relief in creating things and making crafts. So, I was excited at the idea of making a business out of a hobby I love. The Prince's Trust three-day Enterprise programme looked at everything from business planning and marketing to sales, budgeting and tax."

Jayne went on to launch Jayne Tapp Design in November 2016 and creates personalised wooden artworkforce, cards and gifts. She has now sold thousands of products across the world through Etsy and Not on the High Street. Jayne has designed an official activity pack for Great Create parties to help people create decoupage tins.

Fearne Cotton, Prince's Trust Goodwill Ambassador for wellbeing, said:- "By hosting a Great Create party with all your favourite people, you can enjoy the benefits of spending time being creative together; helping your own wellbeing while also raising funds to help the wellbeing of young people. The Great Create is all about giving yourself, and your friends, the time and space to talk, laugh and share what's on your mind; all of which is made easier when you've got a creative activity to get stuck into. You don't need any experience in arts or crafts to get involved and we've got loads of resources to help you plan your party; if you visit the Great Create website you'll find plenty there to get you started."

From upcycling T-shirts to painting plant pots, Great Create hosts can take inspiration from a range of step by step activity packs or come up with their own ideas for making something amazing. The downloadable packs have been personally curated by Fearne and written by young people who have been supported by The Trust. 1 of the packs includes an activity led by Fearne. The money raised through The Great Create will fund Prince's Trust courses that support young people's wellbeing. The Prince's Trust helps those young people who need it most, building their confidence and enabling them to fulfil their potential.

Fearne added:- "Having seen 1 of The Trust's art therapy work shops in action, I know what an amazing impact they're having on young people. I'm so happy to be spearheading a project that will open up these work shops and other incredible opportunities to even more young people, so that they can experience the benefits for themselves.  When a young person gets involved with The Prince's Trust, they open themselves up to a huge support networkforce – new friends they meet on the courses, the staff who guide them through everything and the volunteers who help them to see just how much they can achieve. The whole Prince's Trust experience can workforce wonders for young people's confidence and self-esteem, and I'd encourage anyone who might benefit from their support to get in touch with them."

Philip Wesolowsk, Managing Director at STAEDTLER UK, says:- "In a world where looking after our mental health and encouraging wellbeing are arguably more important than ever, we are extremely excited at the possibility of helping a generation of young people to gain confidence, manage their feelings of anxiousness and become happier.  Growing up and trying to discover your identity in a time where social media, fake news and reality TV dominate, isn't easy, even for adults, and the anxieties that come with that can be crippling. With CHILDWISE research showing that children's biggest fear is being bullied both on and offline, we want to demonstrate the positive effect that creativity can have on wellbeing and reducing feelings of unhappiness and symptoms of anxiety and depression."

Research suggests that young people in the UK experienced record levels of anxiety in 2019 and that overall happiness levels flatlined at their lowest ever point. With the support of Great Create hosts all over the UK, The Prince's Trust will do everything it can to give more vulnerable young people the support they need to move forwards with their lives. Search:- 'The Great Create' online to sign up and find out more. For more information please contact Rosalie Wells on:- 07805 607 4763 or send them an email.

Morrisons Foundation Donates Batch of Books to Local School on World Book Day

PUPILS from St Philips Church of England Primary School, in Southport, celebrated World Book Day, that is to take place on Thursday, 5 March 2020, with a bundle of new books for their School Library, donated by Morrisons Southport. The books were gifted to the School thanks to a partnership between the Morrison's Foundation and the National Literacy Trust. Working together, the charities aim to encourage 125,000 children from local communities discover a love of reading this World Book Day.  The books were presented to pupils by Anna Ingram, Community Champion at the local Morrison's store in Southport, who said:- "It's a pleasure to be able to donate these new books to a local School. There's a great selection of books, so every pupil will be able to find a story they will enjoy."

This donation is part of a wider national project funded by the Morrison's Foundation in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, which is working to fill the bookshelves of 492 primary School libraries and reading spaces local to Morrison's branches all over the country with a collection of colourful, exciting and engaging new books published by Penguin Random House. This grant was awarded to the National Literacy Trust following their research which shows that children who enjoy reading and use their School Library perform better in School and are happier with their lives1. Every book bundle will include a copy of Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties, by Children's Author Humza Arshad, who is also an Ambassador for the partnership.

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust said:- "We are thrilled to be working with Morrison's to bring the gift of reading to 125,000 children across the UK by getting brand new books into primary Schools. School budgets are stretched, many School libraries are struggling and 1 in 11 disadvantaged children don't have a single book of their own at home; so it has never been more important to get books into the Schools that need them most. When children discover a love of reading, they do better at School and later in life, so we must do everything we can to inspire children to fall in love with reading for a lifetime."

The Morrison's Foundation was set up by Morrison's supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people's lives. Since launching over ₤29 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.