Hampshire libraries offering a helping hand to new parents

Gosport Discovery Centre, in High Street, has helped about 1,200 babies and parents with its post-natal health support service.

Running since October, the facility gives families a chance to meet child health experts and join support groups.

New mum Cristina Nicodim, of Gosport, has been attending the sessions with her son Dominic who is almost six months old. She said: ‘The sessions have been really helpful as a first-time mum, when I still didn’t have a clue what I was doing. The last session was about introducing solid food to babies, and we’ve just started giving him solids, so I’ve learned a lot.’

Southern Health runs the scheme with Hampshire County Council. It is part of a council drive to provide more services under one roof.

Barabara Hollis, clinical team leader of Gosport central health visiting team said: ‘Our new partnership with Hampshire libraries will support our focus on the health and wellbeing of our communities, and on giving every child the best start in life, increasing access to the services in the heart of the community.’

The service is also available at libraries in Fareham, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent.