downsmail.co.uk
Mumtrained to offer help to young parents
NEWmums are receiving the sup- port of an experienced “nanny” as part of a health service scheme to prepare them for the challenges of being a parent. Jordan Greenway (20), from Allington, is the first of 35 such young mums from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells to graduate from the Family Nurse Partnership pro- gramme inWest Kent. The scheme – an American idea –
is being run by the Kent Commu- nity Health NHS Foundation, of- fering the advice and support of specially-trained family nurses for two-and-a-half years to first-time mums under the age of 20. Now mum to two-year-old Kay-
den, Jordan said: “It was a huge shock when I fell pregnant. I was- n’t prepared to be amum– I had no experience with babies and was worried I might break him! “My family nurses, Pippa and Helen, were amazing. They gave me so much confidence and infor-
“It was really important that I
had someone outside my family to talk to and they were always there when I needed them.” Family nurse supervisor Carol O’Malley said: “Being involved in this programme is a serious, long- term commitment and all those tak- ing part have shown how dedicated they are to improving their lives and being the best mums they can be to their children.” Colleague Cathie Burton says the programmes are important as a way of getting support and guid- ance to young families early on. She added: “We know early in-
tervention leads to much better outcomes for our children, devel- opmentally and socially, so it’s a real pleasure to see this working so well in practice.” The programme is being offered
mation on the things to watch out for, how to keep Kayden safe and also places I could take him and the things we could do together.
in Maidstone and Malling. Expectant mums can be referred
to the service by their school, mid- wife or GP.
Read our archived editions FREE online at
www.downsmail.co.uk Advertisement feature
News Chance to cut
power bills THERE is still time for Tonbridge and Malling residents to register for round four of a collective switching campaign which aims to help them reduce gas and electricity bills. The borough is working with
Dover, Dartford, Tunbridge Wells and Gravesham councils to operate the Energy Deal scheme, because the more people who register, the more interested the suppliers are in gain- ing them as customers and so the better the deal they offer. The schemewas launched in 2013
and in the last round, those who could make a saving saw an average reduction of £236 a year. It is open to households using gas
and/or electricity. It is free to register and residents are not obliged to switch supplier. They can sign up until Monday, February 1. Suppliers will give their best offer at an energy auction administered by iChoosr. Those registered will then be sent a personal offer. Cllr Jill Anderson, Tonbridge and Malling cabinet member for hous- ing, said: “Energy Deal is particu- larly helpful for those who have never switched before, as it offers a helping hand through the process.” For details go to www.energy-
dealswitch.com or call the borough council on 01732 876395.
downsmail.co.uk
01732 617557
Malling January 2016
3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48