Barnardo's Breastfeeding​

Barnardo's have co-ordinated the South Gloucestershire breastfeeding support service since 2011 which is commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council Public Health. 
The service gives in-depth support for women in South Gloucestershire at support groups throughout the county.

Support Groups 
​
Throughout South Gloucestershire we have breastfeeding groups​ which offer a social and 
supportive space. All groups welcome anyone doing any amount of breastfeeding and parents can drop in any
time.

Training
​
Barnardo’s offers breastfeeding training to become a volunteer breastfeeding supporter at our community groups. To find out more about volunteering with us please click here
​

Awards
​
The South Gloucestershire service has been recognised with a number of accolades and awards over the years. In 2017, our volunteers received a South Gloucestershire Chair’s Award for their contribution to the community. In the same year, Ann Watts a long time member of staff and now a volunteer, received an individual award for her tireless efforts setting up, running and supporting the Feeding Friends breastfeeding group that was once in Downend, along with her exceptional commitment to the breastfeeding service as a whole.

In 2018, the volunteers within our South Gloucestershire groups were bestowed the highest honour; a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of an MBE. This was particularly special as 2018 marked 15 years of the awards, which were first started in 2002 to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Volunteer representatives attended a Royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on 15th May 2018 and there was a ceremonial prize prize giving celebration event for all volunteers later in the year, where the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire (The Queen's representative) presented the volunteers with their award and a certificate signed by Her Majesty. 

"The service has been invaluable for me and my daughter. It wasn't until attending the Barnardo's  support groups that I received the support, assessments and guidance that has allowed me to feed my daughter in the way that I had hoped I could. All the advisors and peer supporters do a fabulous job in supporting new mum's through one of the most amazing, hard and stressful times. I am so grateful"

"I can't sing your praises enough! The South Glos boob service is such an invaluable service for helping new (and not so new) mums with breastfeeding their babies! Without the breastfeeding groups I certainly would not have got through a difficult and painful first few weeks. And now, over a year later my little one and I are still going and loving it!"

At Barnardo’s, everything we do is influenced by a set of principles and values.
The Christian values upon which Barnardo’s was founded in 1867 are now enriched and shared by many people of other faiths and beliefs and those of no faith.

·     Respecting the unique worth of every person

·     Encouraging people to fulfil their potential

·     Working with hope

·     Exercising responsible stewardship

All our staff and volunteers aim to work to these values.