The Leeds Bankside antenatal education group supports parents seeking asylum and refugees in Leeds Bankside.
Funded by Leeds City Council, this free support group is a safe place to:
- learn about pregnancy, birth and parenting in the UK
- form a community, make friends, learn from and support each other
- share skills and experiences, and grow in confidence in their natural ability to give birth and parent their children.
The support group provides a free creche, clothing exchange and interpreters.
Leeds Bankside Drop-in Group
Tuesdays 12:45pm - 2:45pm
Leeds Bankside Children’s Centre, Shepherds Lane, Leeds, LS8 5AW
Antenatal education sessions
These sessions are led by NCT facilitators Rose McCarthy and Rebecca Bowans and cover topics such as:
- birthing positions,
- the stages of labour,
- pain relief in the UK,
- relaxation,
- feeding choices and support,
- early parenting advice,
- active decision making, and
- any other topics that feel important to the attendees.
Many of the women who attend go on to have positive birth experiences and often return to share them with the group.
Supporting the community
Through the NCT group at Bankside, women are encouraged to practice their English and become volunteers within the community. Nearly all join the Yorkshire and Humber Maternity Stream of Sanctuary, a charity that NCT works closely with. Many volunteered with Rose as health befrienders when she worked at the Refugee Council. Through both charities, mums support their peers and their influence is high.
The Leeds Bankside group celebrated their 20th year anniversary in the Summer of 2023 and not only has it changed the lives and birthing experience for many women seeking asylum and refugees but also demonstrated to the practitioners just how powerful this level of support can be to others on multiple levels.