Stoke Thrive at Five

✨From one of the England’s youngest football fans to fabulous sensory story sessions, babbling babies, talks on baby brains and bubbles galore - our 'Bumps and Babies' event at St Stephen's Church Bentilee was a resounding success! 😍

24 families came along, including 1 dad and 2 bumps. Mums loved designing their own baby-grows and meeting other parents. Some had met each other online and were now meeting in person. For others, it was their first time out of the house with a newborn. All of them said how much they enjoyed it.

As well as therapeutic crafts and baby activities, they got to chat with our Parent Connectors and talk to many of the helpful organisations who attended.

Thanks to Stoke-on-Trent Best Start Family Hubs, National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent, Alice Charity, MPFT 0-19 City HV and SN, National Energy Action, Potteries Moneywise PMW, Breastfeeding Network Stoke, Period Power, Changes Health & Wellbeing and many more for coming 💚

Our Parent Connectors Danika, Nikki and Tabi said “The atmosphere felt so warm and welcoming today, it was lovely to see new parents and expectant parents so relaxed and engaged. They left feeling more reassured of the support available and that there was plenty of friendly faces to welcome them at future baby groups.”

A huge thank you to everyone involved 👶👶👶

Did you know that from the moment they're born, babies are already communicating?

The Newborn Behavioural Observation (NBO) is something we use with families in our area to explore this together. It’s a conversation between a parent and their baby, guided by a trained practitioner such as a midwife or health visitor.

It's not about doing something new. It's about noticing what's already there. 💚

Ask your health visitor or midwife to find out if this support available to you – or come and see us at the Bumps and Babies event on 17th June.

You can also speak to us, your health visitor or pop in to Stoke-on-Trent Best Start Family Hubs to find out about Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) which is a way of helping parents see themselves from their baby’s point of view.

Using video, you get to notice all the moments of connection that are happening between you and baby, and what you are doing well. Sometimes this can be hard to do by yourself, especially if things feel tough. 💚

"Looking after yourself is part of looking after your baby."

When you’ve had a baby it is easy to put your own needs at the bottom of the list. But taking a few moments for yourself, whether that's having a cup of tea while it's still warm, getting some fresh air, chatting to another parent or simply taking a moment to pause can make a real difference.

You don't have to navigate parenting on your own.

Our Parent Connectors are local parents who understand this journey. They offer a friendly face, a listening ear and can help you find your way to groups, services and support in your community.

You'll find our Parent Connectors in community spaces across Stoke-on-Trent, building relationships with families and walking alongside them on their parenting journey.

Check our What's On listings to see where they'll be: https://thriveatfive.org.uk/whats-on-stoke-on-trent/