On Thursdays, 10-11am, our friendly trained peer supporters are ready and waiting to meet you at the Lighthouse Centre in Dudley. They can offer support with infant feeding, listen to your experiences and connect you with other families at the group. You do need to book a space, but don’t worry – booking is open right up until the groups has ended so if you remember at 10am, you can book and arrive at 10.30! Here is the booking link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/milk-mates-infant-feeding-support-dudley-tickets-158619809119
We also have a New Baby Course and other pop up events happening there so do follow us on EventBrite to get notifications of upcoming sessions.
“I was really impressed with this group. Well organised and welcoming, just what mums/parents of newborns need”
– Group attendee, April 2021
Once you have booked on, you’ll receive a confirmation email, then a reminder 2 days before, and then one on the morning of group naming your volunteers and small changes/details you need to know.
How to find the group
The Lighthouse Centre is located at 24-36 Salop Street, Dudley, DY1 3AT. Here is a video that shows you how to find our groups:
Once you get into the car park, on one side you will see the community cafe, and on the other side a sign saying “Dudley Community Church”. There are two sets of doors, we use the set on the left hand side as you face the Community Church sign. Once inside, you’ll see a kitchen where we can make hot drinks with lidded mugs on your right hand side. Turn left and you’ll be in our lovely spacious room! We have hand sanitiser available as you arrive.
There is an accessible toilet and baby changing station. For now, we ask that you take nappies home with you (we have nappy bags to use). You are welcome to change your baby wherever you feel comfortable.
We space out the chairs but you are welcome to have your supporter sit with you. You can choose which chairs would be most comfortable for you. There are soft, wipeable mats for you to put your baby down if you would like to.
This room is available if you need a little more privacy, or a separate space where there are no men or boys. Sometimes, coming to group can be a bit overwhelming (for adults and children alike) and so you are also welcome to use this room for sensory regulation, quiet time or to have a bit of a cry.
Don’t worry if you arrive after the group start time, or you need to leave before the end. You don’t need to be from any particular area, or have given birth under a specific hospital. Everyone is welcome! Got more questions? Let us know – infantfeeding@newbabynetwork.co.uk
After group finishes, or whenever you need to get out, meet a friend or have a coffee you didn’t make yourself, we really encourage you to head over to the fantastic Lighthouse Cafe. The motive behind the Cafe is to equip, enable and empower young offenders and young people not in employment or education by offering volunteer and work experience opportunities where they can learn new skills in catering and cafe service, food handling, health and hygiene, customer service, money handling and following recipes.
You can find out more about the Lighthouse Centre and their incredible work on their website: https://www.dudleycounsellingcentre.co.uk/
