Description
Project is targeted at mothers at risk of exclusion, poverty, who were or still are residents of support facilities and who are beneficiaries of social assistance. Project goal is to create a comprehensive, free-of-charge support system for mothers in difficult situation in a perinatal period, providing them with a doula, a psychologist, a lactation consultant, baby-wearing advisor and baby physiotherapist. The offer includes workshops for mothers, parental time bank, self-help groups and rental of baby slings and breast pumps. Target participants are single mothers, under-age mothers, mothers who were victims of sexual abuse, disabled mothers, mothers who consider giving the child for adoption, who are at risk of depression or a post-traumatic stress disorder. Project will strengthen maternal bonding, prevent family disintegration, boost the sense of personal self-esteem, improve parental and social competences. Project will benefit at least 70 women form Warsaw and its surroundings.
Summary of project results
The period of pregnancy and early motherhood is especially challenging for women in a difficult life and emotional situation (single, homeless, experiencing violence). In the opinion of the grant taker, the most effective way to help mothers endangered by exclusion is to support their positive ties with their babies, in particular in the early period of motherhood. Proper ties with mother protect babies from violence and motivate their mothers to change their lives. Professional support from persons with reliable knowledge in this field is very helpful. The free offer from NFZ does not include any integrated system of assistance and fails to take into account individual needs of mothers. The situation is similar when psychological support and preparation to childbirth are concerned. The aim of the project activities is to strengthen ties between babies and their mothers and to enhance parental and social competencies of mothers endangered by exclusion through providing them with perinatal care. Direct support was given to pregnant women and mothers (in all 45 persons) in the form of douli care (meetings during the last months of pregnancy and childbirth assistance for 10 women), lactation adviser (14 consultations), physiotherapist (6 consultations, 2 workshops for 15 women), psychologist (20 consultations) and scarf adviser (20 consultations, workshops for 18 women). Rental service for breast pumps and scarves was organised. A network of contacts was developed that helps to organise quickly support for mothers in need (financial support and psychological help), and time bank was launched for mothers, open for all mothers willing to help and support each other (425 mothers volunteered). The project activities benefited mainly homeless women - residents of centres for single mothers and under age mothers from educational care centres (45 women), while the support and development group and the time bank were open for all mothers (425)
Summary of bilateral results