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Breastfeeding Peer Supporter

  • VO100088

Description

At the heart of The Breastfeeding Network are volunteers who give their time to support other families in their local
communities. They are currently looking for volunteers who are interested in supporting other new mums to be able
to breastfeed their babies and who would like to be involved in the setting up of a new weekly group in the
Cowdenbeath area of Fife. They are also looking for volunteers to support current groups in Dunfermline and
Kirkcaldy.
Their volunteers are required to be trained as breastfeeding peer supporters. This free, accredited training leads to an
OCN level 2 qualification. All their volunteers have personal experience of breastfeeding or giving breastmilk to their
baby. Both during the training and when volunteering, volunteers can have their babies/toddlers with them.
The aim is for training to start in mid-May and for volunteers to be active by the beginning of September 2024.

Organisation aims and objectives

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) aims to be an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and others. It aims to: Inform, educate and support families in feeding and nurturing babies and young children; Enable communities to support breastfeeding through sharing information, training and volunteering; Contribute to evidence based policymaking for government, healthcare providers and educators; Promote the mental and physical wellbeing of mothers and babies through supporting breastfeeding. We do not accept funding from sources which have a commercial interest in infant feeding. This enables women to feel confident that any information and support being given by a BfN Registered Volunteer is not biased in any way. We work within the scope of the World Health Organisation / UNICEF Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and Subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions.

Availability

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

The group will be weekly although volunteers can offer their support as much or as little as they are able to commit to. The day of the group will be decided by the volunteers, to suit their personal circumstances.

Restrictions

Females who have breastfeed or given their breastmilk to their baby
Experience required: To have breastfed/given breastmilk to at least one baby (no minimum time that this has been done). Ability to write in English as the assessments are in a written logbook for the accreditation process. Have a good understanding of the English language although not necessarily their first language. To be friendly and outgoing.
Travel details: Training will be delivered online along with one face to face session. Once ready to volunteer, the group will be in the Cowdenbeath area (or central Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy for existing groups.)

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Expenses are paid through their finance department at the end of each month, after submission by the volunteer. They give 45p/mile for transport or cover the cost of bus/train as appropriate within Fife. If this does not suit an individual volunteer, we can look at other ways of ensuring they aren’t out of pocket, on a 1:1 basis.
Training details: After the 12-week training course (2 hours per week), a coordinator will be in place to provide practical volunteering support. All our volunteers are also required to complete both mandatory and ongoing training which is done online. They are also expected to attend monthly supervision sessions where we support reflective practice and any issues arising for each volunteer. These are group sessions, usually online but can also be 1:1 where needed.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

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