Getting Ahead Service

The Getting Ahead Service helps new families through the challenges of becoming a parent. It is aimed at parents with babies who may be feeling anxious, sad, emotional or isolated. This is incredibly common, and the Getting Ahead Service aims to provide a means of advice, support, relaxation and enjoyment for new parents.

The Service runs a number of groups, such as a relaxing enjoyable walking group where mums can come along to meet other mums and enjoy the benefits of light exercise.

Service Aims

To help new parents through what can be an extremely difficult time, prevent social isolation, anxiety, low mood and Postnatal Depression.
Improve the access to and variety of treatment options available to families affected by Postnatal Depression.

Groups

We have a wide variety of new and exciting groups which are running now and we also have plans to develop more in the near future.

Groups that have been established include a First Time Mum’s Group, which runs for six weeks for new mums to meet other mums, gather information and participate in a group run by a Health Visitor and the Development Worker from the service. Group topics range from First Aid to post natal exercise.

Getting Ahead is an eight week group. This group is for mums who are struggling adjusting to motherhood and are looking for a few pointers and techniques for coping and improving their enjoyment of being a mum.

Walk and Talk is a pram walking group which meets in your local park. This is a great opportunity to meet other parents and get a bit of exercise at the same time.

Time Out is for mums who are struggling and feel they don’t get any time to themselves for the nice things. Come along and meet other mums and learn new skills for managing your time and reducing anxiety, have a hand massage, get a chance to ask a Health Visitor any questions and learn assertiveness skills.

Young mums Group is for mums up to the age of 25 years and is an opportunity for such mums to meet other mums their age and get involved in activities. Mini bus pick up & drop- Free lunch.

Baby Talk is a group primarily aimed at mums to be who feel that they need a bit of extra emotional and social support during their pregnancy. Many women experience unexpected feelings during their pregnancy, they may feel low or stressed. This group provides a supportive environment for them to meet other women experiencing similar feelings. They will learn coping skills including anxiety management, relaxation, assertiveness and information on groups in the community for once their baby arrives.

Wellbeing Group is aimed at families from black and minority ethnic communities providing an opportunity to meet other families with young children, learning strategies of coping with stress and finding out about what is going on in their local community.

Baby Chillout is a four week course for Mums & Dads to learn how to massage their babies. The group is for parents who are struggling with the transition and challenges of parenthood.

Mums Time Out is a therapy group which runs over eight weeks for mums suffering from anxiety/and or Post Natal Depression the group aims to enable mothers to investigate issues that may be affecting their mood. This is done in a supportive group environment where mums will be encouraged to provide support and advice to one another.

We are currently in the process of developing additional groups, e.g. a group specifically for Dads to support them in the early stages of fatherhood and Parenting groups for parents with mental health issues.

Getting Ahead - Promotional Video (Quick Time movie, 6.75mb)

Pramathon

Our 3rd Annual Pramathon took place on Saturday, 6th September in Rouken Glen Park. Many families took part in the walk followed by lunch in the marquee and fun activites. To date £161.00 has been raised which has been donated to Bluebell Day and the Jennifer Brown Research Fund.