As I mentioned in my previous blog, it’s been a remarkably busy time here at Best Beginnings.  The main issue over the last week has been the news that the From Bump to Breastfeeding DVD will no longer be available for free.  We remain committed to the DVD and have now made them available to buy.  You can read more about it in this news article.

I want to use this blog though to celebrate some successes and unusually ask you not to donate (not just yet anyway). 

Work is continuing apace on our Small Wonders project, with filming progressing well. We’re currently working with 12 families in eight neonatal units across the country. The first rough cuts of the film should be ready for our Stakeholders to see in spring 2011. If you are the parent of a premature or sick baby, and would like to be part of the process of viewing the films before they are put to their final edit, please contact us here – your views are key to making the film as valuable a resource as possible for parents of babies in special care units in the UK.  You can see some short clips by clicking here.  They really give a flavour of how powerful the final film can be to empower parents to play a pivotal role in their babies care.

We still need your support to complete Small Wonders DVD but if you are considering donating to Best Beginnings, I’m unusually asking you not to ….just yet! This is because on 6 December between 10 am and 11am, your support will go twice as far. Generous supporters of Best Beginnings have created a fund to double your donations. On the 6th, we’re asking you to visit www.thebiggive.org.uk/donate/bestbeginnings

Any donation you make between £5 and £5,000 will be doubled.  Small Wonders is an incredibly important project and I hope that this valuable hour will make a huge difference to the lives and health of the most vulnerable babies in the UK.

One last and very welcome update to tell you about is that we're going to be growing the Best Beginnings team.  We're currently recruiting a part time Policy and Development Manager.  If you're committed to the charity's goal of reducing child health inequalities across the UK, educated to at least Masters level (ideally PhD) in areas such as midwifery, health visiting, child health care, social sciences or public health and have stong influencing and communication skills, this could be the perfect job for you.  For more information about this opportunity please contact Faye Pooke ([email protected]) or Johannes Strack ([email protected]) or call 0207 8974 9990.

We are very excited that even in these challenging times Best Beginnings is growing and moving forward.  We do still need all your help to do even more and I hope your able to get to your computer on December 6th.