ABC Parents

When you take part in our course, you'll get to learn more about: 

• Learn first-aid and lifesaving skills

• Manage childhood Illnesses

• Feel more confident

• Meet other local parents

• Meet our Child Health Champions and join our ABC Parents Networks.

• Get advice and local resources for those with financial difficulties, housing issues, feeling isolated in the community, mental health difficulties and more!

A breakdown of what you'll learn 

• What to do if your child is choking
• Fever, colds, is this sepsis?
• Vaccinations
• Reliable resources for help and advice. When should you call 111, go to the pharmacy, your GP, Urgent Care Centre or A&E.
• Baby and child resuscitation skills and CPR practice
• Injuries and accident prevention
• Head injuries and burns
• Allergies and anaphylaxis
• Safe-sleeping for babies
• Local resources for those with financial difficulties, housing issues, feeling isolated in the community, mental health difficulties - where to get help and advice
• Finally and most importantly, your chance to ask any other concerns you might have.

We are a team of children's doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and resuscitation officers who are here to help our wonderful local community. We aim to improve parents' knowledge and confidence when faced with minor and serious childhood problems.

Our two-day courses are for parents in Haringey and Enfield to learn important lifesaving skills for their children.

Why we do this: 

Parents who bring their children to our A&E department have told us how scary it is when their child is unwell and that they wish they knew what to do and when.

These friendly, relaxed and interactive sessions aim to help empower you to cope with accidents and emergencies.

We encourage parents to share their anxieties and together with our resuscitation officers, paediatric team and volunteer parents, we all share our knowledge and helpful resources. We later invite parents to join our ABC Parents support group to meet other local parents, share healthy living tips, arrange events and grow in confidence.

We provide: 

Child health advice - gain useful knowledge and guidance related to health and wellbeing for parents and children.

Opportunities to learn together - produced with local parents, we provide free courses on lifesaving, first aid and health to parents and carers.

Community support - meet other parents, build networks, share resources and get support from our Child Health Champions.

Who can attend?

The course is open to parents, carers, expectant mums and dads, grandparents or anyone who carers for a child in Enfield or Haringey [ONLY AVAILABLE TO LOCAL PARENTS]. Parents can bring babies; especially if still breastfeeding. We have childminders on hand to help parents focus and perform the practical skills.

Can I bring children with me?

Yes. If you need help with childcare please email us to arrange help. We are able to offer the creche at some sites but not all. Please email us to discuss your needs.

Babies under 12 months who are breast/bottle-fed and where childcare cannot be arranged will all be accommodated. We would like to minimise the use of the public facilities due to covid-19 baby changing will be available - we simply ask you to follow strict hygiene, wear face masks and socially distance at all times.

Please register AND email northmid.abcparents@nhs.net to make it clear if you need the creche as strict ratios must be followed.

Are these courses free?

Yes. These courses are FREE so that everyone can take part regardless of their income. Funding has been made possible by the Enfield Training Hub, North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group and Public Health Haringey. We are very grateful for their ongoing support for our community outreach work. 

Do we get certificates?

Yes. This course is aimed to improve parents' confidence to care for their own children and other children in an informal setting. There is no exam or formal test so this course does not meet employer requirements. Following completion of both dates, everyone will receive a certificate of attendance and go home knowing how to confidently get help and manage an unwell child

Will you serve food & drinks?

Yes, light refreshments will be provided - teas, coffees, juice, fruit and light snacks. All refreshments are nut-free and we aim to accomadate for all dietary needs including gluten-free and dairy-free options. 

How can I get more involved?

We are thrilled to have met many caring and proactive parents/carers. This course was developed after speaking to local parents visiting our A&E. We want this to continue to be free so we are keen for parent champions and other professionals to help us to develop this community work. Please email northmid.abcparents@nhs.net with any queries, ideas or offers to support us. We thank you in advance.

How will your information be used?

Your registration information will be used to send information about these Child Health and Lifesaving courses. We will also email you resources to support you and your family. To keep these courses free and improve what we do, we review anonymously information you provide to ensure we are reaching parents/carers from across our diverse community and evaluate the effectiveness of our training. If you have any questions, please ask at the training session.

Dr Akudo Okereafor - Programme and Clinical Lead, Paeds A&E Doctor at North Middlesex University Hospital. Co-founder of ABC Parents 

Belinda Okyere -Critical Care Nurse, Resuscitation Pratitioner, Chief Nurse Fellow, and Clinical Lead Specialist at the North Middlesex University Hospital.  Also Co-founder of ABC Parents.

 

Breastfeeding Drop-ins

Come along to receive information, advice and support with breastfeeding. Speak with a Health Visitor, Community Nursery Nurse or our Breastfeeding Champions. We can observe feeding, improve painful latches, provide a discrete space and offer confidential support.  We provide free refreshments and you can meet other parents, share experiences and get to know your community. No appointment needed. Contact us on 07977076099 or email northmid.abcparents@nhs.net for more information.

• Every Monday 12.30pm - 2:30pm at Salvation Army, 339 Fore Street, Edmonton, London, N9 0NU.
• Every Saturday 10:00am - 12:00pm at Wood Green Library, 187-197A High Road, London N22 6XD.

Postnatal fitness!

Every Thursday from 10.30am to 12.30pm, rain or shine, join our postnatal fitness coach, Anna, for some wonderful fitness classes. All classes are free and available for anyone (must be at least six weeks postpartum). Babies or toddlers are welcome to join! Exercise together then free refreshments and chance to chat after. Sessions meet at the Community Building by the children's playground in Jubilee Park, Edmonton, N9 7NU.

Online Workshops

Every Monday from 10am to 11pm we host a virtual health workshop where you get to meet with our Health Visitor and guest clinicians every week to discuss a variety of topics and ask questions about infant and child health needs. To join click on the link: https://tinyurl.com/52sa66ta

Upcoming topics:

Please email northmid.abcparents@nhs.net or call 07977 076 099 for details and virtual meeting link. 

Are you interested in becoming a Parent Champion?

We welcome all parents and carers, regardless of previous expereince to become volunteers! As a champion, you will have access to a network of parents for support and guidence. Additionally, you will have opportunities for training, including Safeguarding, Mental Health First Aid, Equality and Diversity and much more!

We also have our Breastfeeding Champions, traind through the Breastfeeding Network, who are able to support at our Breastfeeding drop-in sessions! 

Support local parents and help create the village of care and compassion we are striving to achieve! 

Ask any questions or sign up via our email: northmid.abcparents@nhs.net