Fylde coast mum's parents support group provides princess boost for familes

Bev Nickson's Parent Platform on Facebook has launched a new series of features to help families staying at home as the restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the virus change the way people live their lives.

Bev set up the service in 2018 with the help of Blackpool Council's Get Started scheme, to offer help and advice for parents direct from childcare experts in videos and live online sessions.

It allows parents to pose questions directly to professionals ranging from midwifes and infant feeding specialists to family solicitors.

Now Parents Platform has come up with new sessions to help specifically during the lockdown including having some special appearances by famous princesses to cheer up the youngsters.

Bev said: "We are all volunteers and run this page for free. Plus we are supporting independent small businesses with raising the awareness of their services.

"Now in the current crisis parents need this free service more than ever. People have described it as a “lifeline” in our online reviews.

"We are continuing providing free fortnightly interactive Facebook live Q&A's for parents as face to face services has stopped or are limited during this time."

Sessions include an infant feeding specialist to support breastfeeding, bottle feeding and weaning infants while normal face to face infant feeding groups have closed.

A midwife will be providing up to date information to pregnant women who are due to birth amid the Covid-19 pandemic. A health visitor will be taking questions on child health and development, symptoms of coronavirus and how the family can stay safe.

A women's physiotherapist will be providing practical ways for pregnant and postnatal women to exercise pre/post natal to reduce pain.

Sessions also include a mental health/anxiety coach which provides practical ways for parents to reduce their anxiety and improve their mental wellbeing.

The is even a small business accountant providing Q&A’s to parents (and anyone) who have small businesses and up to date information on the grants, loans and other funding available and how to apply.

Bev said with children being at home and having to do lessons there they will also now be looking to help parents support their children.

She said: "We are planning education lessons for early years, primary and secondary next week to run in the day. These will be 30 minutes lessons with a parent Q&A at the end to empower parents to gain confidence to homeschool their children."

The site will also offer an E-learning early educator providing tips for parents to educate their baby for the first 1000 days of life. baby and child sleep consultant providing sleep advice and information to parents.

Bev added: "Plus on Saturday’s we have a virtual Disney-style character such as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, doing shout outs to the children watching. Tis had been very popular and magical for the children."

Visit https://www.facebook.com/theparentplatform/