Transcript
HELEN DOCHERTY
And topic today-- as you can see, we’ve set the room up quite different today. So we’ve got lots of areas of different tactile and visual stimulation.
The Incredible Babies programme is an evidence-based programme. It runs for eight sessions, and we talk about different topics each week looking at stimulating the baby’s brain, the importance of talk, the importance of communication, getting to know your baby’s cues, as well as other topics such as weaning, safety, and baby massage.
SPEAKER 1
Yeah, I was checking [INAUDIBLE].
HELEN DOCHERTY
Once parents come along to Incredible Babies, we usually close the group off by about week 2. So by then, everybody’s gelled, everybody’s built up that relationship, and then we will offer the programme then in the next term. So it is a rolling programme.
SPEAKER 2
I enjoy coming to Incredible Baby group because it’s nice for the children to meet each other. And Lola’s got an older brother, but when she’s seen other babies, it was nice to see her reaction and just play with each other. And they end up growing up because they’re all in the same area. They go through school and play group. It’s nice to meet other mums as well.
SPEAKER 3
Does she like that?
SPEAKER 4
I think that it’s welcoming. I feel really comfortable here. And if I got a concern or worry, we can just come across to other mothers, and then they’ll give us their advice what they’ve done. So if the baby’s not sleeping or if they’re not eating tidy, they’ll just explain what they do different to what I’m not doing. So it gives us tips, really.
SPEAKER 2
If we didn’t have the group, I’d probably be searching on the internet, and there’d be different answers to what we get from other mums and from what we get from the group leaders, which is good. So it’s nice to have someone to talk to face-to-face rather than a computer screen.
HELEN DOCHERTY
Also, it’s a good idea to actually give time for the brain to connect. So where you think that they might or they’re not interested in that, actually give it time to process as well, and give them time to respond.
Lots of discussion comes about in groups. Sometimes if there is extra support needed, as if there is domestic violence or financial issues in the home and housing difficulties, then we have a good network of other agencies that we can actually refer the parents onto, or sometimes we’ve even-- may even have them coming in and just having a chat with parents at the centre.
A topic that came up was a parent was struggling to pay her rent and her bills. We had somebody come in from Communities First, and they helped and supported that family. They also helped and supported the rest of the group because they weren’t aware of the warm grant funds and financial support that was out there.
When mum did raise the issues in the group, they did actually all support her, and they were very empathic as well. So that was nice for her to be able to have that confidence to discuss that in the group and feel confident to do that. And the group then reassured her that it was OK, and there is help out there.
They also mentioned that Cobain Farm, which is another project that’s close by. They actually do food sessions where you can go and get bags of food.
SPEAKER 5
[INAUDIBLE]
SPEAKER 6
I don’t feel judged when I come, and I know that if I got something to ask, I haven’t got to be afraid because they-- or if they haven’t got the answer, they’ll find the answer for me. And I like the fact that I’ve got other mums to talk to. And, well, if I got a question, I’ll ask them. The main thing is not being judged. I’m a worrier.
HELEN DOCHERTY
When you go home now--
SPEAKER 7
I think without this course, it can be quite isolating in the area, not knowing many people with a young baby. I mean, I don’t go out like I used to. So to have this group and these friends and stuff has been amazing. It’s been absolutely amazing.
HELEN DOCHERTY
The programme is evaluated via Topsy and it’s a little booklet that the parents have at the beginning of the programme, and then they can score themselves and their babies. And then we do it again after the programme.
They can look at the Topsy done prior to see if they wanted to make some changes. Sometimes, it shows that they thought that they knew things, but after doing the programme, they’re like, wow! Actually, I didn’t really know as much as I thought I did.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
HELEN DOCHERTY
What’s good about my job is I’m doing something that I wanted to do, and I’ve always wanted to work with children. To work with parents as well, it was like, wow! This is different. But it’s so rewarding to know that you have sometimes made a difference. Or if you haven’t, then you can refer on to another agency. But making that difference in that family, child, or that mum or dad or carer’s life is rewarding.