Elgan Owen, NCT trustee and Regional Coordinator for Wales, talks about the feel-good factor of volunteering for NCT and his efforts in campaigning against the closure of maternity services in a local hospital.
My wife Sian and I have two children, Rhiannon, who is five, and Llywelyn (Llew), who is 18 months. We had planned home births but had to transfer on both occasions.
We live in Old Colwyn on the North Wales coast. I work in a Welsh medium secondary school.
We signed up for NCT antenatal classes and our teacher, Hannah, told us about a Nearly New Sale that was coming up so we went along. From there, Sian found out about the local branch and went along to some open houses, which are coffee mornings hosted at a volunteer’s house.
We started volunteering regularly at the sales, as well as holding our own open houses. In 2013, I took on the role of Web Coordinator and Sian became joint Branch Coordinator.
I took over the role of Branch Coordinator just before Llew was born and I have been Regional Coordinator for Wales since February 2015. The role is part of the Regional Volunteer Support Network and I was elected chair of the group in December 2016, having served as deputy chair from the end of 2015.
I’m now also a Trustee on NCT’s Board of Trustees.
Lots of new friends, bargains at our Nearly New Sales and confidence in approaching others to help out! There is definitely also a feel-good factor to volunteering.
The highlights of volunteering for NCT have been attending the Stars Awards at the House of Lords in 2013 and going to babble live! last year.
Meeting so many other volunteers and sharing ideas has made me much more enthusiastic and positive this year.
The local services and support that branches offer are really important to so many parents, especially being able to meet other mums and dads in similar situations and to share stories and ideas.
It’s also important that local parents are represented on Maternity Services Liaison Committees (MSLCs) as services are often under threat and it gives local parents the opportunity to be heard and to campaign against these changes.
The work that NCT does on a national level is extremely important.
The suspension of consultant-led services in one North Wales Hospital is currently on hold while a judicial review is held, for instance. I don’t think I would have been accepted onto the implementation panel for this change if it wasn’t for my involvement with NCT.
While I do hope that the health board finds an alternative solution, it’s important that, if this change goes ahead, they consider all the issues that will affect local parents, such as added stress, increased travelling times and additional costs.
The work that NCT does on a national level – from the helpline to lobbying for changes in maternity and paternity leave – is also extremely important.
Absolutely. Volunteering has given me so many opportunities and it is definitely a family affair in our house. The great thing about volunteering for NCT is that you can bring your children along to events. We took both our children to the House of Lords for the NCT Stars Awards and Rhiannon has been to Cardiff with me for the day too.
Locally, I would like to see more services offered to fathers, and I believe a key part to this is getting more dads involved with local branches by ensuring they are made to feel welcome and included at events.
Finally, no matter how much time you have to contribute, it will help to support parents locally and nationally.
Volunteering with NCT will give you an opportunity to learn new skills and rediscover old ones. Your branch will be really happy to welcome you – whether you have an hour spare or a few to help out!
Find out more about volunteering with your local NCT branch.
