FOUR colleagues who are all expectant mums have helped to bump start new antenatal classes and drop-in sessions in West Somerset.

The four who work at Shearwell, in Wheddon Cross, took part in Home Start West Somerset’s first sessions, called Bump to Baby, which will now be rolled out across the district.

The Bump to Baby sessions are ratified ante natal classes and Home Start staff and volunteers have been training alongside qualified midwives with the Real Birth Training programme in order to cover all the aspects of labour and the practical care of a newborn baby.

Louise Burge, HR manager at Shearwell, said: “Our four mums-to-be have really enjoyed the antenatal sessions which have been delivered here in one-hour slots on three days.

“These short and snappy sessions on site during working hours have meant that our mums-to-be have not had the stress of travelling long distances to attend, and it has helped the business too.

“We are very happy to have been involved and wish Home Start West Somerset every success”.

Home-Start West Somerset has been able to train and qualify ten of its staff and volunteers via support and funding through Marie Howard, apprenticeship and skills adviser at Skill-Up West Somerset.

The Home-Start Bump-Start co-ordinator said: “It was a real pleasure to meet the Shearwell expectant mums and be able to offer brief but informative sessions at their workplace, which hopefully provided essential information and reassurance.

“Looking forwards, I’m excited to be able to provide the endorsed Real Birth Training Programme, antenatal classes and drop-in sessions for expectant parents in West Somerset. I feel this offers a wonderful experience for families in our community, who have previously had to travel longer distances to attend similar classes.”