Innovation of the Year 2019
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust (SWFT) were the Innovators of the Year in 2019. They picked up their award for the Bump and Buggy programme. This is a free service, designed for mums and mums to be who want to take care of their body, health and mental wellbeing during and after pregnancy.
The programme is part of the existing Coventry Family Health and Lifestyle service that works to deliver services designed to reduce the risk of obesity among children by supporting families. It was co-developed with mums and mums to be in the community to have a say in the type of exercises that they would like to do, to keep the sessions varied, and offers exercise and nutrition support in a fun and relaxed environment.
The sessions are run city-wide within different settings including, family hubs, leisure centres, church halls and community centres. The sessions combine ante and postnatal exercise that can be adapted to cater to all levels of fitness whilst encouraging new friendship groups and the chance to exercise and talk. They allow mums to bring their babies/children along without the worry of cost or organising childcare.
Kerry Harris collected the award because of her creative influence and role within the community to improve and mental wellbeing in motherhood through physical activity and friendship.
Kerry said “It has been a positive and enjoyable journey, encouraging mums, listening to their experiences during and after pregnancy, and giving them confidence to get out the house to the park (in all weathers) with their baby and help to improve their mental wellbeing. The group has allowed new friendships to be formed; the ladies have set up WhatsApp groups and have stayed in touch with each other outside of the sessions”
“It is so much more than an exercise class, it allows the ladies to interact with each other, share concerns, give advice and support each other through motherhood.”
Are you doing things a little differently? Have you had a creative idea that has been adopted by your service? Has your innovation had a positive impact on people who use your service or other Coventry citizens? If so the Innovation of the Year award could be yours. Nominations open on 3rd February, you have to be in it to win it…..
