Home-Start London is launching an exciting new Perinatal Pilot Project alongside the Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
The Peer Support Model Pilot is an 18-month project which will be delivered in partnership with CNWL’s Community Perinatal Mental Health Services.
Launching on 1st October 2020, this pilot project will aim to provide peer support to 70 women and their families who are currently accessing perinatal services. The support will be provided by Home-Start’s fantastic cohort of specially trained volunteers.
Through this project, Home-Start London will become an integral part of the delivery process of CNWL’s community-based Perinatal Mental Health services and will aim to contribute to overall improvements in the emotional and mental health and wellbeing of the families.
The project will be delivered by Home-Start Barnet, Brent, Enfield & Harrow, Home-Start Westminster, and Home-Start Hillingdon, and seeks to work with families who are over 18 years old. Those who have been referred to the Community Perinatal Mental Health Services will have the opportunity to work alongside Home-Start volunteers who have lived experience of parenting, in order to provide peer support and help promote recovery.
Home-Start London is delighted to be a part of CNWL’s new pilot project and its long term commitment to providing perinatal support.
Devina Vencatasawmy, the service lead for CNWL has commented on the project:
“The women in our service told us that they found peer support beneficial because they feel more comfortable discussing some aspects of their experience with a peer and we listened to their feedback. I am sure that this peer support project will support them in their journey during this important event in their life and help us in delivering further improvements to this service.
I look forward to working with Home-Start London to help to make sure that women and their families receive the service they want.” (Devina Vencatasawmy Perinatal service lead CNWL)