Expectant mothers in Fairview near Blackwood are set to benefit from improved ante-natal services thanks to a partnership between a local housing association and health services in the Caerphilly Borough.
Charter Housing, part of the Seren Group, has partnered with the Aneurin Bevan Health Board’s Women and Child Health Division to offer a midwife-led ant-natal service that will be based at Charter’s community house on the Fairview estate. The community house is a property owned by Charter which is designed to be used by all members of the community.
The scheme is aimed at providing more accessible and comfortable ante-natal services to mums-to-be in familiar surroundings, where they can benefit from the support of other mothers and health professionals in the area.
As with traditional ante-natal services, the scheme will provide health checks and advice from qualified community midwives in the run-up to the birth as well as the opportunity to attend support sessions once their baby is born.
Kate Aspinwall, community development officer at Charter Housing, said: “The launch of this scheme is really exciting for us and we are delighted to be working in partnership not only with the midwives but also the local community.
“Our aim is to bring ante-natal services closer to the community to help to encourage new and expectant mothers to attend sessions as they won’t have to travel so far. We also hope those who have never been to the community house before will come along and begin to create a real focal point for the Fairview and Upper Trelyn communities.”
The partnership will also help establish a range of activities that bring together the community, the team that looks after women and children’s health and the local housing provider to offer on-going support to mothers and families. Starting with the weekly clinic, plans for the future include breastfeeding support, parent and family sessions and a parent and toddler group. Working closely with the community, the project will also help identify local needs and assist in building the confidence and skills of parents and families.
Mum-to-be Emma Brown, 37, who lives on the Fairview estate, said: “The community clinic is really good for me because I can bring along my older children, who can play with the toys and other kids in the playroom downstairs while I have my check-ups. This is my fourth pregnancy, so I know that it really helps to have a midwife that you are comfortable with and the support and friendship of other mothers in the area.
“An extra bonus for me is the fact that the clinic is just around the corner from where I live, so juggling three kids, my job and my ante-natal appointments is made much easier.”
Lesley Constance, lead midwife for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board in the Caerphilly Borough, said: “The clinic will place the midwives within the community, which allows the team to provide more consistent and tailored support to local women.
“The fact that it is so easy for local residents to attend the clinics removes many of the stresses often associated with pregnancy and also allows the midwives and expectant mothers to get to know each other better. The key aim for us is to provide a continuous, accessible and informed service to expectant mothers where they feel comfortable.”
The ante-natal clinic will run every Monday between 1pm and 3pm at the Fairview community House, 5 Clos Ceirw, Fairview, North Blackwood. Anyone wishing to find out more about the clinic should contact Lesley Constance on 02920 807231 or Kate Aspinwall on 01633 678514.
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