UPDATE: We have been made aware that this volunteering programme is no longer active. This story was written based on documents uploaded to Kingston Council's website ahead of last week's Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
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Kingston Hospital has appealed for mums to come forward to offer advice and support to fellow mothers.
The hospital is looking for volunteers for its Mums-to-Mums Volunteering Network to help new mothers by offering basic companionship or practical support such as with breast feeding.
Training will include study days to teach the volunteers how to make a hospital bed and support vulnerable mothers. The network aims to give “reassurance that only another mum who has given birth at Kingston Hospital can provide”.
Bosses are looking for volunteers who can give up at least three hours every week for a minimum of six months.
No prior skills or knowledge is required to sign up to the scheme, though applicants must show “enthusiasm and a willingness to make a regular commitment” and act in a “calm, mature and patient manner”.
In the last year the maternity unit delivered 5,800 babies, according to an annual hospital report. The unit is at capacity, the report added.
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