Staff from the Norfolk Family Nurse Partnership team were joined by the young parents they support across Great Yarmouth for a fun filled festive celebration this week.

The event allowed staff from the partnership, provided in Norfolk by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, and the families to get creative during messy play where they could make their own Christmas decorations, noise makers and lots more. Alongside the festive fun, a number of partner organisations, including the integrated Contraception and Sexual Health service - ICaSH, Infant feeding, Dental Health and Healthwatch were on hand to provide helpful health and wellbeing advice.

Representatives from East Norfolk College and Great Yarmouth College were present to provide the young families with information about further education courses.

Students from Great Yarmouth College provided a pampering opportunity for the young mums with nail painting and hand massages, which were very much enjoyed. Support was also provided by the local children’s centre and Great Yarmouth Library.

Brittney Lammin and Ashley Emms attended the event whilst expecting their first child in January and really enjoyed the afternoon for all the information and advice they got all in one place. They added that they receive great support from their family nurse Jayne England and are really looking forward to welcoming their new arrival.

Lisa Lorenzen, Family Nurse Supervisor, added: "It was great to have such a good turnout from the families that we work with and a good time was had by all. We were really impressed with how confident the young parents were with their children and how much they all enjoyed getting involved in the messy play activities we were able to provide.

"We are grateful that local health service providers and partner agencies were able to showcase their services at the event - the 'health fair' was well received and acknowledge that partnership working really helps our young families to achieve the best outcomes possible for their own, and their children's health and wellbeing."

The Family Nurse programme encourages young parents to fulfil their aspirations for their baby and themselves through a series of weekly and fortnightly home visits that begin in early pregnancy and continues until the child's second birthday. These visits compliment midwifery care provided and deliver most of the Healthy Child Programme.