Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. As a **Breast Feeding Supporter** you will be working with new mothers to support them with feeding their babies in the first few weeks and months. Volunteering either in a group or 1:1 with new mothers, you will offer support, information, signposting and advice to mothers on breast feeding and infant feeding. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who have breast fed (for one day or 2 years!) to work alongside our team of staff and volunteers to offer support and information to breast feeding mums. You will need to be prepared complete the 10 week Breast Feeding Peer Support Course run by LiveWell South West. We are looking for friendly and approachable people, who want to help new mothers in the first few weeks after having their babies and beyond. Having breast fed yourself, you will be able to understand the issues that some mothers face and offer a supportive and listening ear to make those first few weeks easier for mother and baby.

Could you help at our breastfeeding group, creating a welcoming environment for new mothers, sharing information and support, setting up and clearing away activities, and providing a listening ear and emotional support?

Tasks: Creating a welcoming and non-judgemental environment for groups to take place.

Supporting breastfeeding mothers attending groups i.e. antenatal or postnatal.

Offering one-to-one support and advice to individual mothers as agreed (e.g. home visits, telephone contacts, etc.)

Liaising with local midwives/health visitors and refer breastfeeding women onto them if appropriate.

Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.

Participating fully in training and supervision.

Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours

Skills: Experience in breastfeeding.

Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.

Approachable and welcoming.

The ability to communicate and engage with children, young people and families.

Being non-judgmental and positive in their attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds.

Benefits: Full induction and training.

Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.

Regular supervision and support.

Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.

Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.

Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.

Disclaimer: We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteering@barnardos.org.uk or call us on 0208 498 7320