Walsall Family Hubs gain ‘Baby Friendly’ UNICEF UK certificate

Wednesday, 3 April 2024 17:29

Walsall Council’s Family Hubs have been awarded a Certificate of Commitment, in their first step towards gaining recognition from the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) Baby Friendly Initiative.

The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global programme which aims to transform healthcare for babies, their mothers, and families as part of a wider global partnership between UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In the UK, the Baby Friendly Initiative works with public services to better support families with feeding and developing close, loving relationships in order to ensure that all babies get the best possible start in life.

The Certificate of Commitment recognises that a health care facility is dedicated to implementing recognised best practice standards.

Isabel Vanderheeren, Director for Early Help, Walsall Right for Children and Partnerships at Walsall Council said, “This certificate reflects our ongoing commitment to be a child-friendly borough and provide children with the best start in life.

“The Family Hubs have been set up to help families in the borough, and we host breastfeeding peer support groups to help mothers and babies form a close and loving relationship, irrespective of their chosen feeding method.

"I’m really proud of the team who have worked hard to achieve the Certificate of Commitment, and we will continue to progress towards our Family Hubs becoming UNICEF UK accredited Baby Friendly facilities.”

Baby Friendly Initiative Deputy Programme Director, Anne Woods, said, “Our work to support breastfeeding is based on extensive and resounding evidence that breastfeeding saves lives, improves health and cuts costs in every country worldwide, rich and poor alike. Mothers in Walsall have the satisfaction of knowing that their midwives/health visitors are aiming to provide the highest standard of care.”