Royal Berkshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices

20/03/2026

This we’re asking…

What would make you feel more comfortable or make your appointments more sensory friendly?

20/03/2026

Neurodiversity Celebration Week challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

‘Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.’ Harvard University

This week offers a valuable opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

If you or your partner are neurodivergent, diagnosed or undiagnosed, it is important that all of the maternity/neonatal staff you come into contact with during your maternity/neonatal journey are aware and can agree with you how best they can support you to have the best possible quality of care according to your individual needs.

It will help those that care for you to know your preferences around the following for example:

- Your neurodivergence
- How you are referred to, e.g. autistic person, person with autism etc
- How you are contacted
- How you want to receive information
- Communication methods you find easier/harder
- What factors make appointments easier/harder

What else?
There may be other things that are important to share so that you feel heard and understood, and all those that care for you are aware of and can respond to your needs.

Please speak to your Midwife if you believe, or know, that you (and/or) your partner are neurodivergent. It will help them give you have the best possible experience of care and support.

More information about neurodiversity can be found here: https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/

Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity
Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Healthwatch Reading
Healthwatch Wokingham Borough
Healthwatch West Berkshire
Reading Children's Centres
Reading Community Learning Centre

17/03/2026

The MNVP is a partnership, we welcome every opportunity to acknowledge the vital work and achievements of our partners.

This post outlines the vital and inspirational work that Aisha and her team at Reading Community Learning Centre do everyday with women and families in our community.

We agree with Reading Community Learning Centre, 'action changes lives'.

If you are looking for local charity to support that makes a real difference to the lives of women and families in our community, Reading Community Learning Centre would be a really really good choice.

Please read the post for more information, follow their page to keep up to date with all their life changing work.

16/03/2026

We recently asked you about your top meals or places to grab food while staying or visiting the hospital. Some of you were quite happy with the hospital meals (special shout outs to the tea and toast and sponge pudding and custard!) 🍝🌭🌮🍫🍗🌮🍰🍞🍕🍫

You told us that you didn’t know about the food options for partners staying in the Family Bays so the team have pulled together this breakdown of cafes, restaurants and snack options at the RBH. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or just that must have snack - we’ve got you covered.

Postnatal Ward Family Kitchens on Iffley and Marsh - you can bring in food from home and reheat in the microwaves, make a cuppa, or use the fridge to store your milk for a morning bowl of cereal. They are stocked with plates, cups and cutlery. Open 24/7

M&S Food - you’ll find this well stocked shop by the main entrance and car park - it’s not just sandwiches and snacks either. There are lots of cold options - salads, sushi, healthy bowls, and microwave meals for a hot option. It’s open 6.30am to 8.30pm weekdays, closing at 8pm on Saturday and open 9am-7pm on Sundays

New Cafe Local - has coffee and teas, hot food options, cakes, wraps and sandwiches, snacks - plus a special shout out to the mobile phone chargers (great addition) Open from 6am - 7pm daily

Jamaica Blue - a bit more of walk but next to the coy pond and sculpture garden. Lots of sandwich, ciabatta, bagel and cake options - plus now doing hot brunch. Also coffee and smoothie drinks to drink in or take away. Open from 6am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 7am - 6pm on weekends.

Often overlooked is the Eating Hub Restaurant - which is in South Block and open for Breakfast 7-11am, Lunch 12-2pm and Dinner 4-7.30pm. We’ve not tried the breakfast but been really impressed with the variety at lunch and dinner time. Different themes each day with canteen style service, and healthy options.

Next door to the restaurant is DELIghts - deli bar and Starbucks Coffee. Open 11-4pm on weekdays and a selection of baguettes and hot sandwiches, bacon baps and pizzas.

For snacks there is Whistlestop opposite the new Cafe Local, also the place for cards, books magazines and ice creams! Open 7.30am - 7pm Monday to Friday and 8.30-5pm on the weekends. The vending machines can be found in Antenatal Clinic (at the Craven Rd entrance) for crisps and chocolate. And for coffee AMT is at the main entrance near the car park 6am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am - 5.30pm on Saturday and 8.30 - 4pm on Sundays.

We’ve checked the opening times last week but please drop us a message if you notice they’ve changed!

There is also a lot of takeaway options but please be ready to take the rubbish away with you. Is there anything we’ve missed? Or any suggestions for other food options you’d like to see? 🍝🌭🌮🍫🍗🌮🍰🍞🍕🍫

15/03/2026

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!

14/03/2026

February was a significant month for us at the Royal Berks MNVP; it was the first full month of our new Parent & Community Engagement Team working together.

We’ve been working really hard on establishing new relationships & rekindling existing ones with the aim of reaching more people and groups in all corners of the community.

Thank you to everyone who interacted with us throughout the month - we look forward to meeting & hearing from even more people in the coming months!

12/03/2026

Get • *** Here’s what BfN support is available next week ***

If you have any breastfeeding questions or need some breastfeeding support, our BfN volunteers are available to talk things through. Next week they’re at:

*Brambles, Wokingham - on Monday 16th March, appointments available to book for 9.30am, 10.15am and 11am (Please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/breastfeeding-network-wokingham-service-84243836603 to book. Select the day and click the ticket button to see individual tickets for available timeslots).
*Red Kite, Shinfield - on Monday 16th March - drop-in alongside baby play session 1.30pm-2.30pm.
*Ambleside, Woodley - on Tuesday 17th March, appointments available to book at 1pm and 1.45pm. (Please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/breastfeeding-network-wokingham-service-84243836603 to book).
*Rainbow Park, Winnersh - on Wednesday 18th March, appointments available to book for 10am and 10.45am. (Please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/breastfeeding-network-wokingham-service-84243836603 to book).
*Video calls could potentially be available if preferred - email wokingham@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk or direct message to request.

If you need breastfeeding support outside of these session times, you may wish to call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 and/or contact your midwife/Health visitor.

[Image description: pale cream background with purple, lilac and green plants. Text reads: We are here for you. Monday 16th March Brambles and Red Kite, Tuesday 17th March Ambleside, Wednesday 18th March Rainbow Park. Video calls potentially available on request.]

12/03/2026

Get • *** Here’s what support is available from BfN Reading volunteers next week - it’s a bumper week with 5 sessions available***

Come along for a chat 🙂

Monday 16th March
💜Sun Street Children’s Centre, drop-in - BfN volunteer available during the Health Visitor run well-baby clinic between 1.30pm-3pm (well-baby clinic continues until 3.30pm).

Tuesday 17th March:
💜Whitley Children’s Centre, 10am-11am, BfN volunteer available during the bumps and babes session (the baby play session is for under 1’s, if you are bringing an older baby/child with you we can support you in another room)

Thursday 19th March:
💜Southcote Children’s Centre, drop-in 10.15am-11.15am, BfN volunteer will be available during Messy Play session.

Friday 20th March:
💜Sun Street Children’s Centre, drop-in 10am-11am, BfN volunteer will be available during the baby dimensions session
💜Video call at 4pm available to book through Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/o/breastfeeding-network-reading-service-101518563111).

ID. Text reads:
“We’re here for you.
Monday 16th March: Sun Street.
Tuesday 17th March: Whitley.
Thursday 19th March: Southcote.
Friday 20th March: Sun Street and Video call appointment.”

12/03/2026

welcomed 378 babies in February 💜 Congratulations to our wonderful families!

Do we have any new parents seeing this? Anyone juggling a new baby and an older brother or sister? 👶

12/03/2026

💜 Safe Sleep Week 9th - 15th March 💜
💜 Theme for 2026: Baby Necessities 💜

There are a LOT of options, conflicting advice, and expense when looking for the safest products for your baby to sleep in.

This Safer Sleep Week The Lullaby Trust will be sharing in about ‘baby necessities’, the essential items that your baby needs and how to check that they’re as safe as possible.

💜Keep it simple to keep it safe💜

For reliable information around safe sleep see https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/about-us/our-campaigns/safer-sleep-week/

Royal Berkshire NHS Maternity
Royal Berkshire Maternity: Homebirth Team
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Healthwatch Reading
Healthwatch Wokingham Borough
Healthwatch West Berkshire
Reading Children's Centres
Reading Council

11/03/2026

💜💜💜 378 truly wonderful little humans welcomed in February 💜💜💜

💜 Little Fredi bring just one of these precious tiny humans who make our world a better place 💜

We welcomed 378 babies in February 💜 Congratulations to our wonderful families!