Celebrations Underway for Health Visitor Week (September 26-30)

A Great British Bake Off-inspired cake competition helped to kick-start celebrations for Health Visitor Week on Monday.

Health Visitors from across Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) joined in the celebration, which gave them the opportunity to talk to each other about their roles, as well as to hear from local charity Baby's Basket.

Baby's Baskey receive donations of gently used clothes for babies up to three months, Moses baskets and bedding from parents who no longer need them. The items are packaged together in a basket or bath and then given to parents who may benefit. The charity receive referrals from Health Visitors and Midwives.

Baby's Baskey said: "Baby's Baskey has now helped 90 babies and depends on the continuing donations of Moses baskets, bedding and all of the essentials for a newborn. We're amazed by the efforts Health Visitors go to collect baskets. They make special journeys to pick them up and even collect the baskets on their days off. Working with Health Visitors allows us to continue helping new parents during this special time."

Baby's Basket also had the unenviable task of judging the cake competition. After much tasting, the West Lindsey Health Visiting Team's iced jam and cream cake was chosen as the winner. Following judging, for a small donation, everyone had a chance to tuck in to the cake, and a wonderful £108 was raised for the charity.

Throughout Health Visitor Week blogs featuring different members of the LCHS team will be published via the Healthy Families website (www.lincolnshirehealthyfamilies.nhs.uk) and Health Visitors will be popping up in areas around the county handing out information and giving people the chance to ask questions.  

Anita Wood, Locality Lead for Family and Healthy Lifestyles at LCHS, said: "Health Visitors provide a valuable service which allows conditions and issues a child may have to be picked up early. They work with families to ensure children are prepared for school and just generally make families feel supported.

"During Health Visitor Week we want to not only celebrate the important work our Health Visitors do, but also give the community an opportunity to find out more about what a Health Visitor's job involves."

To talk to LCHS Health Visitors and find out more about the service, visit one of the following locationsL

Tuesday, September 27
Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough, 10am - 2pm
Tesco, Wragby Rd, Lincoln, 10am - 12pm

Wednesday, September 28
Tesco, Sleaford, 9.30am - 11.30am 

Friday, September 30
Outside the Hildred Centre, Skegness, 10am - 2pm

For more information about Health Visiting, visit www.lincolnshirehealthyfamilies.nhs.uk.