Blackpool Hospital Star Buddies 30/06
Friday 30th June marked the end of the 10 year breastfeeding peer support project in Blackpool. While this was undeniably a very sad day for those losing their jobs, and for all those whose colleagues are leaving their posts, there was still a sense of celebration in the air for all that has been achieved for the families of Blackpool in that decade.
There was a a little gathering in the hospital, and another in the community, where kind words were spoken and gifts exchanged:
1000’s of families reached, many stories shared on this website. Support given without judgement, information given with kindness, choices facilitated with empathy. The Star Buddies came in with passion, and can leave their jobs with their heads held high.
Pictured above are the four hospital Star Buddies leaving their Blackpool jobs, plus Dawn Burrows (Hospital Infant Feeding Co-ordinator), Shel Banks (Hospital Baby Friendly Co-ordinator), Alison Leyland (Specialist Midwife for Diabetes) and Janet Danson-Smith (Patient Experience Lead for the hospital’s Families Division).
There will be a celebration and recognition event later in July for all Blackpool Star Buddies, anyone who wore the classic lime green t-shirts over the past 10 years!
In other news, while the project in its previous form has ended, we here at Blackpool Breastfeeding Support still very much continue the fight to have Breastfeeding Peer Support in some form in our Town.
If you would like to help behind the scenes with this fight, then please get in touch.