Early help in Hamm: Family support and accompany families

Early help in Hamm: Family support and accompany families

The city of Hamm is committed to supporting young families in the decisive phase of early childhood. With financial funds from the city, the “Early Aid” program is to be permanently anchored in the family town hall. So far, the financing of this important offer has been unsure, since annual funding had to be searched for. Mayor Marc Herter explains: "We invest in the healthy growth of children and in the families who are supposed to be a good home for them."

The focus of this program is the preventive support of families, especially those who have a higher need for support. A safe space is created where these families can exchange ideas, starting during pregnancy. An extensive network plays a central role here, which includes gynecologists, midwives and various social institutions. Behind the "Early Aid" are partners such as the AWO, the Catholic social service, Caritas as well as the Diakonie and the Barbara Clinic.

Various offers for expectant parents and newborns

The "early help" offer various offers for support before and after birth. Before birth, information is distributed by gynecologists and pregnancy advice centers. In childbirth clinics, so -called "Babylotsen" are available to advise expectant parents and clarify requirements so that the start of your child is optimally successful. Pediatric nurse and midwives help as part of the “A good start” project, whereby they respond to questions and, if necessary, provide help.

After birth, the "Babylotsen" continue their support. A special feature of the program is the welcome visits, which took place in 68 percent of the newly baked parents in Hamm last year. In these visits, which take place about six to eight weeks after the birth, educational specialists or doctors come home to the families to offer individual support. In addition, the range of support also includes the "Hammer Home Visits", which offer help and promotion up to the age of three. Voluntary family sponsors are ready to support support in everyday life, and a flyer with nursing locations ensures that mothers can breastfeed.

community and exchange meanwhile

The city of Hamm organizes "rabatz groups" every week in every district to promote the exchange and contact between parents. In collaboration with Caritas, there is also a group called "Little Knirpse" in the west of Hammer, which offers additional support. Another helpful offer is the "writing hour", in which parents can share their concerns about screaming, sleeping and feeding their child and receive help.

The commitment of the city of Hamm for young families is impressive and shows how important it is to offer strong support in the first years of life of the children. This not only increases the quality of life of the families, but also a positive foundation for the development of the children. The “early help” helps families in Hamm find a valuable support and together can master the challenges of the first few years.