Parent and baby home: Sam’s story
We have a range of activities and opportunities at our Parent and baby homes on offer to help young parents move onto successful independent living.
Sam moved into our Parent and baby home with her six-month-old son when she was just 17 years old. This safe and supportive environment allowed Sam to receive the help she needed while navigating the challenges of young motherhood. During her stay, she participated in a Breastfeeding Mentoring Programme at the local children’s centre, where she not only gained valuable experience but also supported other mothers who were just starting to breastfeed. The guidance she received in our Parent and Baby home helped her build confidence in her new role as a mother.
Sam’s dedication and positive experience with breastfeeding led to her and her baby being featured on a poster in the maternity wards, with a quote she wrote herself:
“Breastfeeding is the best thing I decided to do. It has given me an amazing bond with my son. It has made me and him feel more secure and comfortable, and it is wonderful skin time too.”
Moving on from our Parent and baby home
Although Sam is incredibly independent, she cannot move into an independent tenancy until she turns 18. In the meantime, our team continues to support Sam by helping her complete our Pre-Tenancy Course, preparing her for the next steps in her journey towards independence. Sam has a bright future ahead, with aspirations to train as a midwife, a career that will allow her to help others just as she has been supported during her time at the Parent and baby home.
Find out more about what happens at an Alabaré Parent and baby home
Our Parent and baby homes are safe and warm, with our caring and understanding team on hand to offer support and guidance as our clients find their feet as a new parent. Our homes are for vulnerable young parents who are either pregnant or with their babies. We provide a supportive, stimulating, safe environment, helping them to make life choices that will help them towards the goals they have for themselves and their baby.
Most young parents stay with us for around nine months. During that time we help them access any other support or services that they need. We also offer them training in skills such as cooking, budgeting and wellbeing so they can successfully manage a tenancy as well as look after their growing child when they move on.
We can accept young parents who are referred to us by Wiltshire or Hampshire Council Homeless Team, via social care, or you can get in touch with us directly.
How you can help
Like to get more involved with our work? We can’t do what we do without our supporters and fundraisers, whether that is running a fundraising event, taking part in one of our public events, or by volunteering your time and working alongside our clients. Please get in touch to find out how to be involved.
Donate
We rely on donations to continue our life-changing work providing care and support to homeless adults, young people, veterans and those with learning disabilities. We can do this because of the kind generosity of our supporters. Every penny you give will help us to support someone in need.
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Sponsor a room
Your donation will give someone who is homeless and vulnerable a warm, safe place to call home. Your generosity will not only help provide accommodation and support but also training and life skills.
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Fundraising
Our fantastic supporters put on all kinds of events and undertake incredible charity challenges, from quiz nights to raffles, from walks to Atlantic crossings – the more creative, the better!
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