Local charity, Home-Start Aberdeen and Nuffield Health in Aberdeen have formed a new partnership, aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of the charity’s volunteers, and the families it serves.
The collaboration will bring an array of expertise and resources from the team at Nuffield Health, including training, wellness programmes, and first aid education, designed to bolster both physical and mental wellbeing, helping families navigate the challenges of raising young children.
The partnership kicked off this month with the delivery of a tailored first-aid training session to an initial group of families and volunteers, with a particular focus on choking incidents — a common area of concern for many parents, particularly during the weaning stages.
This training aims to alleviate the anxiety many parents feel about choking hazards, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to handle emergencies effectively.
Cameron McCready, chief executive of Home-Start Aberdeen, expressed: “As families feel the squeeze of financial hardship and reduced public services, we’re constantly innovating and collaborating to meet their needs in a robust, friendly and accessible manner. We’re incredibly thankful for the outreach of support from Nuffield Health. Their expertise and resources significantly enhance our ability to support families. By providing essential training and wellness programmes, we can help parents and volunteers feel more confident and capable in their roles.”
“While actual choking incidents are relatively rare, the anxiety parents feel about them is significant,” he continued.
“With many parents feeling isolated and having limited access to support, we see more cases where weaning is being delayed due to parent anxiety. This can lead to issues with child nutrition, and delayed growth and development in their early years. By equipping parents with the knowledge on what to do if their toddler does choke, we can alleviate these fears, reduce this anxiety and provide the reassurance parents need to navigate the weaning stages confidently.”
At the first aid training session, parents expressed that they had been given increased confidence and awareness of crucial health interventions. Each attendee was asked to identify priorities and all included choking. Attending parents were relived to receive tailored support from Nuffield Health to address this need. Many remarked that in a short space of time, they felt much better prepared and equipped to respond to emergencies and keep their children safe.
One parent who attended the session stated that, “I personally have taken so much away from the training and feel very confident in regards to choking and CPR. All-in-all, the whole training will be very beneficial given that I have a very curious and boisterous three-year-old boy!”
“It wasn’t too much nor overwhelming. There was such a calm atmosphere and having laughs in-between, especially with Sam being used as the dummy – I loved that.”
The firm's collaboration extends far beyond the initial first aid training and will see Nuffield Health's experts actively engaging in Home-Start Aberdeen's volunteer training sessions, offering insights into the importance of play, exercise, and proper nutrition for young children. The team will also offer access to a variety of classes and programmes designed to improve the overall wellbeing of families, carers and volunteers. Home-Start Aberdeen are currently seeking funding to provide families with suitable first aid kits which will support Nuffield Health’s input by equipping families with the tools and resources they need to safely administer first aid at home.
Nuffield Health Aberdeen expressed their enthusiasm about the partnership, stating; “We’re delighted to collaborate with Home-Start Aberdeen and contribute to the wellbeing of families in our community. Our goal is to provide practical skills, knowledge and reassurance, ensuring parents and carers are well-equipped and fit to handle the everyday challenges of raising young children.”
For over 30 years Home-Start Aberdeen has been supporting families across the city to prevent family crisis and breakdown. Home-Start works primarily with families with at least one child under the age of five, matching them with home-visiting volunteers who offer friendly, accessible services tailored to each family's unique needs.
Its team of staff and volunteers provide advice, reassurance, practical support and signposting to help families become more resilient, self-reliant, and able to cope with difficult circumstances. By offering free, easily accessible services, Home-Start aims to remove barriers for families in need, regardless of their background or circumstances.
For more information on Home-Start Aberdeen visit www.homestartaberdeen.org.uk