Our Head of Volunteering, Nikki Squelch, tells us why she’s in awe of our amazing volunteers and why helping parents make local connections is so important.
I love babies. I always wanted to be a mum, but never quite found the right person. The clock was ticking loudly, so I read a book and made a decision to embrace single parenthood.
I decided to embrace single parenthood.
I told my family and friends about my intention to become a mother and was overwhelmed by the support and absence of judgement. They thought I was more than ready too!
With the help of a very good friend, I got a donor and before I knew it, the word ‘pregnant’ appeared on the stick.
When I told some close friends about my pregnancy, their first words were “you have to join NCT!” As I originated from Australia, NCT was new to me and an unknown, but by the time the fifth friend mentioned it, I thought it was time to take their advice.
I had no idea what to expect at my first NCT class. We were a very mixed group and on first impressions I thought “I have nothing in common with these folk”… but how wrong I was.
We have our babies in common and I love them all! The coming together once all our babies were, thankfully, safely delivered was the real bonding moment. By the end of that week, we had all gathered together – dads as well as mums – swapping birth, feeding and sleep stories. (Nikki’s NCT group pictured when children were three.)
My son, Levi, now 9, was born with a cleft lip and palate. He arrived earlier than expected and was the first of the babies.
My NCT group were in awe of my confidence in holding him.
I learnt to handle him confidently and I later learnt that my NCT group were in awe of my confidence in holding him, carrying him and feeding him with his special bottle.
I was a little worried that people would patronise or ‘feel sorry for me’ because Levi had an impairment, but they just loved and accepted us.
Prunella Briance, NCT’s founder, said when she started NCT that there were things that new parents needed to know and connections we could make. I have made those connections and they made such a difference to my first few weeks and months as a parent.
Yes, I have a great role in a great organisation where I get to hold babies!
Since starting in late September as Head of Volunteering, I have been so impressed by the skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and sheer tenacity of NCT volunteers who drive and maintain so many connections for local parents.
Learning more about what volunteers do to improve local services for parents and babies has been an inspiration.
The welcome from the many groups I have visited in my short time has been full of warmth, honesty and, of course, cake!
Together, I know we can achieve great things for parents and babies.
If you’d like to tell us about your story or NCT group, email nctmatterseditor@nct.org.uk. We’d love to hear from you!
