A new scheme launches in Coventry and Warwickshire today, 24 February, to help mothers and babies separated at birth due to safeguarding concerns.
The Council has secured 1-year funding from the Integrated Health Board and will work with Lancaster University, UHCW and Warwick hospital to deliver ‘Giving Hope’.
HOPE stands for 'Hold On, Pain Eases', and will see boxes given to a mother and baby who have to be separated following birth while court proceedings determine long term plans. They are designed to support connection, promote identity, recognise grief and loss, and reduce trauma.
The boxes contain carefully chosen items aimed at reducing trauma and providing comfort and support at this difficult time, such as photos, blanket, soft toy and a baby record and/or communication book, designed to help parents capture important memories and maintain a connection with their baby post separation.
They will help support a range of activities that may take place on the maternity ward before separation or during family time sessions. Each item is designed to help mothers develop and maintain their maternal identity following separation, as well as to collect meaningful mementos.
They are designed as a gift from a mother to a mother and have been created with the help of women with lived experience.
Cllr Patricia Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“This is a wonderful scheme aimed at helping mothers through a very difficult time and showing them there are people there to help and support both them and their baby.”
Colleagues from Children’s Services, UHCW and Warwick Hospital have been offered training by Lancaster University to help them understand the purpose of each item in the HOPE boxes and how to use them effectively.
When it is not possible for a baby to remain with their mother (or family) this initiative will ensure that separation is handled with care, dignity and humanity whilst recognising the profound and lasting impact.
Hope boxes will be offered to all mothers where separation is the care plan. It is up to the mother whether she would want to be part of this and her choice of who would help her navigate through the process. This may be the midwife, a health professional or social worker.