HOME=Start West Somerset has adapted its visiting service – for all families in the district that have young children – to help them through the coronavirus lockdown.

All the staff are working, although in different and varied ways, so that Home-Start remains in full operation, and ante-natal classes are being provided online.

“It’s a very worrying time for expectant parents,” said manager and senior family support co-ordinator Clare Pound.

The Home-Start Facebook page is regularly sending updates guided by Somerset Maternity. These include that mums-to-be must attend ante-natal scans and appointments alone, and only one birth partner is allowed in the room during labour.

Clare said: “In line with Covid-19 instructions, we’ve adapted our ante-natal classes and these are now being provided online, so expectant parents can call us.

“We set them up with a ratified ’real birth workshop’ ante-natal class alongside one of our Home-Start trained co-ordinators who will be there to go through the ante -natal class information and answer questions. This is all done via Skype.

“Ante-natal and breastfeeding support is also available via telephone and other forms of communication and we are soon to set up a Zoom ’drop in’ sessions for ante-natal peer support and advice.

“We’ve also adapted our home visiting support. All Home-Start staff are available for all families in West Somerset that have children under the age of seven.”

Support offered includes a friendly call, someone to listen, able to deliver food boxes, pick up other vital resources for families in self-isolation if it is impossible to get out without taking all the children.

Clare stressed that this service is accessible to all families living in West Somerset that have young children.

For privacy reasons, phone numbers have been omitted here but will be in this week’s Free Press.