Who are we?
The South Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Support Service is commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council and has been delivered by Barnardo's since 2011.
The service has changed and adapted over time dependant on local provisions and needs of the county.
The service has changed and adapted over time dependant on local provisions and needs of the county.
What do we do?
Our service manages all of the breastfeeding support groups in South Gloucestershire. They are mainly held in Children's centres in areas where the breastfeeding rates are low. There are some exceptions.
Our group co-ordinators are all peer supporters with years of experience and trainee breastfeeding councellors. They attend as many groups as possible to support women, breastfeeding people and their families. In addition, volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters attend every group each week.
We oversee numerous volunteer lead breastfeeding support groups on Facebook.
The staff, volunteers and service are overseen by an infant feeding specialist and regular training updates and ongoing supervision provided.
Our group co-ordinators are all peer supporters with years of experience and trainee breastfeeding councellors. They attend as many groups as possible to support women, breastfeeding people and their families. In addition, volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters attend every group each week.
We oversee numerous volunteer lead breastfeeding support groups on Facebook.
The staff, volunteers and service are overseen by an infant feeding specialist and regular training updates and ongoing supervision provided.
What are our qualifications?
Volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters: have all either completed our in house training or a course by an outside agency. We offer our volunteers regular supervision support and update training and all volunteers have an enhanced DBS.
Our staff team are also all volunteers and are all either trained with or training with UK charities. Our Breastfeeding Counsellors and Infant Feeding Specialists receive regular supervision, training and CPD.
Our staff team are also all volunteers and are all either trained with or training with UK charities. Our Breastfeeding Counsellors and Infant Feeding Specialists receive regular supervision, training and CPD.
What are the limitations to our service?
Due to time constraints, we can not: Offer home visits or offer 1 to 1 telephone conversations/video calls.
We do not: Offer advice.
We are not: Medical - we do not offer medical advice.
We DO: Share up to date, evidence based information in a parent centred way so that we may support and empower families with feeding their babies. This includes combination feeding with formula milk, expressing, using donor milk and ending breastfeeding.
We do not: Offer advice.
We are not: Medical - we do not offer medical advice.
We DO: Share up to date, evidence based information in a parent centred way so that we may support and empower families with feeding their babies. This includes combination feeding with formula milk, expressing, using donor milk and ending breastfeeding.