Rotherham Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership

20/01/2026

📣 National Maternity & Neonatal Investigation – Share Your Experience

Baroness Amos, Chair of the independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, is calling on women and families across England to share their experiences of maternity and neonatal care.
Listening to lived experiences is at the heart of this investigation.

Your insight — whether positive or negative — will help shape national recommendations to improve maternity and neonatal services for the future.

📝 Two surveys are now open:

One for women and people who have been pregnant
One for fathers, partners, family members and non‑birthing partners who supported someone through pregnancy

Baroness Amos says she is committed to hearing from a wide range of voices, including those who have faced inequalities in care. Experiences of compassionate, safe care are also welcomed, to help ensure that good practice becomes the norm everywhere.

💬 “My thanks, in advance, to everyone who takes the time to respond, including fathers, partners, family members and non‑birthing partners.” — Baroness Amos

🗓 The Call for Evidence is open until 17 March 2026

🌐 Respond here: matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evidence

Accessible options are available, including:

Easy-read formats
Translations in seven languages
Postal responses
Interpreter support
One‑to‑one interviews for those who need help taking part

Please share your experience and help shape the future of maternity and neonatal care in England. 💗

08/01/2026

Following recent news about an infant formula recall, we want to assure parents that it is safe for them to switch to another brand. There is no evidence that switching formulas does any harm.

If you are using a specialised formula, please speak to your health professional about a suitable alternative.

If you’re concerned that the formula you’re currently using may be affected, please check the Food Standards Agency website for the most up-to-date recall information.

www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-02-2026

If you need infant feeding support, please contact our National Breastfeeding Helpline UK on 0300 100 0212 - 24/7.
Social media support is also available 💜

[ID: Following recent news about an infant formula recall, we want to assure parents that it is safe for them to switch to another brand. There is no evidence that switching formulas does any harm. If you are using a specialised formula, please speak to your health professional about a suitable alternative. If you’re concerned that the formula you’re currently using may be affected, please check the Food Standards Agency website for the most up-to-date recall information.]

08/01/2026

Please be aware some SMA products have been recalled.

29/12/2025

💜 Can YOU Become a Volunteer Doula? 💜

The Sheffield Volunteer Doula Programme is looking for compassionate volunteers to support vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers across Sheffield.

Do you have the time, empathy, and passion to encourage and support women through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood?
Would you like to walk alongside a woman from late pregnancy, through labour (if needed), and during those precious early weeks with her baby?

✨ Volunteers are at the heart of the Doula Programme.
They provide vital emotional support and trusted information from around six weeks before birth, during labour, and for six weeks after baby arrives—making a real difference at a life-changing time.

📚 Training & Support
Training is delivered twice a year, giving you the knowledge and confidence to support mums in Sheffield.
➡️ The next training course starts February 2026.

📞 Find out more:
📱 Call: 0114 273 5733
📧 Email: doulaproject@sheffield.gov.uk

🌐 Visit: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/public-health/doula-volunteer

📷 Or scan the QR code on the poster

If you’ve ever thought about giving back in a meaningful way, this could be the opportunity for you. 💕

Christmas opening times 2025: We're closed to all but essential services over the Christmas period. You can still use our online services to report, apply and pay 24/7.

21/11/2025

🌸 Your Voice Matters in Maternity & Neonatal Care 🌸

We’re inviting women, birthing people, partners, and families to get involved with the Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP).

MNVP is all about working together with service users, midwives, doctors, and community groups to make sure local maternity and neonatal services reflect the needs and experiences of the families who use them. 💜

👉 Whether you’ve recently given birth, are expecting, or have past experience with maternity or neonatal care, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 You can share your feedback, join focus groups, attend forums, or take part in special projects that improve services.

If you’d like to be involved or simply want to find out more, please complete the short form below 👇
https://forms.office.com/e/FXfmfd8XJK

Your story. Your experience. Your voice. Together we can make a difference. 🌟

21/11/2025

🌼 You’re Invited! 🌼
Rotherham MNVP Forum – Neonatal Service Experience
✨ In honour of World Prematurity Day ✨

Have you or your family had experience with the Neonatal Service in Rotherham?
We would love for you to join us at our next MNVP Forum as we listen, learn, and work together to improve care for babies and families in our community.

👶💜 Whether you’d like to share your experience, or simply come along to hear more about the service provided, your voice and presence matter.

📅 Date: Friday 28th
🕒 Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm
📍 Venue: The Big Apple Play City
Old Sheffield Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 1DE

Your insights help us shape better, more compassionate maternity and neonatal services for families across Rotherham.
Come, connect, and be part of meaningful change. 💛

For more information or to let us know you’re attending, please message us here.

21/11/2025

💜 UK Malnutrition Awareness Week – 17th–23rd November 💜
🤱🏽 Eating well whilst breastfeeding
Breastfeeding uses up extra energy — so eating a varied and balanced diet helps keep both you and your baby healthy.
🥗 Include:

Wholegrains, fruits, and vegetables

Protein-rich foods like beans, eggs, fish, or meat

Calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, or dairy alternatives

💧 Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to stay hydrated.
Find more helpful NHS guidance here 👇🏽
👉 Breastfeeding and diet – NHS


Would you like me to make the tone a little more localised (e.g., “Here in South Yorkshire…” or “Your local MNVP team supports families across Rotherham, Doncaster & Bassetlaw…”)? That could make the posts feel more community-based.

20/11/2025

💜 UK Malnutrition Awareness Week – 17th–23rd November 💜
🩸 Low iron (anaemia) in pregnancy

Iron helps your body make red blood cells to carry oxygen around. During pregnancy, your body needs more iron — and sometimes that means you can develop anaemia.

⚠️ Signs of low iron include:

Tiredness or weakness

Dizziness or headaches

Shortness of breath or palpitations

Routine blood tests in pregnancy check your iron levels, and your midwife will support you if you need supplements or diet advice.

Learn more here 👇🏽
👉 Iron deficiency anaemia – NHS

19/11/2025

💜 UK Malnutrition Awareness Week – 17th–23rd November 💜🤰🏽 Morning sickness

Feeling or being sick in pregnancy is very common — especially in the early weeks. Most people feel better by 16–20 weeks, but for some it can last longer.

💡 Tips to help:

Eat small, frequent meals and avoid strong smells.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Rest when you can.

If you’re struggling to keep fluids down or losing weight, speak to your midwife or GP — there’s help available.

Find more NHS advice here 👇🏽
👉 Vomiting and morning sickness – NHS

18/11/2025

💜 UK Malnutrition Awareness Week – 17th–23rd November 💜🌸 Vitamin supplements in pregnancy

If there’s a chance you might get pregnant, or you’re already expecting, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet — and take the right vitamins to support your baby’s development.

✅ Take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day until you’re 12 weeks pregnant – this helps prevent problems with your baby’s brain and spine.
✅ Take 10 micrograms of vitamin D every day between September and March to keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy.

Learn more here 👇🏽
👉 Vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy – NHS

17/11/2025

💜 UK Malnutrition Awareness Week – 17th–23rd November 💜

This week, we’re raising awareness about nutrition and wellbeing in pregnancy and beyond.

From vitamins to morning sickness, low iron and eating well while breastfeeding — we’ll be sharing helpful tips and trusted NHS resources every day this week. 🩺👶🏽

Stay tuned and share with someone who’s expecting or caring for a little one 💜

17/11/2025

💜🌍 World Prematurity Day – 17th November 🌍💜

Did you know that in our area, 7.8% of births are premature?
That means babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy — and around half of these births happen unexpectedly, with no known risk factors.

Some of these tiny fighters need extra care on a Neonatal Unit (NNU), where specialist teams support them and their families during those first crucial days and weeks.

👶🏽 Ever wondered what life is like on a Neonatal Unit?
🎥 Watch this short animation, “24 Hours on NNU,” to see what to expect and how neonatal teams care for babies born too soon:

👉 https://youtu.be/vVhZUpRvRyY?si=4c2aZ_CHLLJNmEBj

💜 Today, we honour every premature baby, every parent who’s walked this journey, and every neonatal team providing compassionate care.

A parent resource for expectant and new parents about what to expect if their baby is admitted to a neonatal unit. The animation follows four families throug...