Not only are the team at 1000 Hills Community helpers supporting the babies within their baby wellness clinic on a Tuesday, but they have seen a steady increase in the number of social workers coming to them for help with cases of babies who have been abandoned or are in unsafe environments. There is simply no additional funding from the department to support the social workers increasing cases, which in turn, results in them coming to NGO's like 1000 Hills Community Helpers for additional support.

In the first quarter of 2022 152 babies were seen in their primary healthcare clinic. Each new baby receives a baby pack when they come into the clinic which consists of a tin of infant starter formula (400g), nappies, a blanket, and clothing. The team support planned pregnancy & have an education programme for young women in the community, however the pregnancy rate is increasing.  These young women often have no-one to turn to when the pregnancy is unplanned and sadly many are still of school age and have been the victim of sexual violence or coercion. 

This past quarter has seen a few babies who were very ill with pneumonia, requiring a
hospital admission. Thanks to the exceptional team in the clinic, they were able to get these babies to hospital quickly. This team encounters many challenging circumstances at the clinic and in the community each day, babies becoming ill is just one of them. Malnutrition remains a worry in this region with some mothers bringing in their new-born babies who are clearly showing signs of malnutrition. What often happens is those in extreme poverty feed their babies a bottle of warm tea, there are even had cases of a baby being fed warm water in a bottle.

Thanks to the team of dedicated home-based care workers, they have been able to stop these trends from spreading further by educating these impoverished families within the community. The home-based care kits consists of emergency medical and nutritional relief for such cases. Sometimes however, the only option is to take the babies into the care of the team in the baby room.  There are currently 11 babies being cared for this way, allowing the team to get them well established with feeding and sleep and giving the mother's respite and the opportunity to return to work or school. 

To support this increased demand, we're launching a Twin a Cot scheme. For just £23 a month or £275 a year your nursery can twin a cot with one at 1000 Hills Community Helpers. You'll receive a certificate detailing your cot twin and quarterly updates on the work of the Baby Wellness Programme at 1000 HCH. 

If you would like to help please contact [email protected] or call 01789 414088 for more information.  For other ways to support Baby Wellness at 1000HCH text GAGABABY to 70460 to give £5 (texts cost £5 plus your standard message rate) or make a donation to our general fund

Thank you