When a group of young pregnant women met for the first time at an NCT antenatal class in Leighton Buzzard, they hardly imagined that they would still be friends 40 years later. Jane Berk tells us about her NCT group’s enduring bond.
While one or two original members fell by the wayside, a hard core six of us meet up monthly, and are joined occasionally be three others who have moved away from the area. There is always lots to talk about as we catch up on everyone’s news. Every summer we have a ‘Day Out’ when all of us meet up.
We can discuss any subject under the sun
Over the years we have visited a long list of places, including Salisbury, Portsmouth, Ross on Wye, Gloucester, Evesham, Warwick, Stratford upon Avon and many more.
This year we celebrated by visiting Prince Charles’s gardens at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.
Get in touch
We love to hear about the friendships you’ve formed through NCT. If you’d like to share your story, please contact us at nctmatterseditor@nct.org.uk.
Everyone has found the group to be very supportive. We can discuss any subject under the sun.
After all, we have shared such intimate details of each other’s childbirth experiences, breastfeeding, weaning, potty training and the traumas of childhood illnesses.
Then the choosing of nurseries, schools and universities and now the problems of ageing parents and our own ageing as bits of us start to go wrong and fall off!
Those of us with daughters and/or daughters-in-law have encouraged them to join NCT when they had babies of their own. They form the new generation of members helping each other through the trials and tribulations of bringing up a family and enjoying the friendship and support of other women.
Maybe they, too, will go on to celebrate 40 years together.
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
You might find attending one of NCT’s Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
