Volunteer's viewpoint Catherine Bartlett

My name is Catherine and I’m married to David. We have two children: James, three; and Grace, eight months. When my son was born, breastfeeding was excruciatingly painful and he was very unsettled.

Despite asking everyone for help, including GPs, special care baby unit nurses, midwives, health visitors and breastfeeding support workers, nobody could provide an explanation. When he was eight weeks old, my NCT antenatal teacher gave him a cuddle at our class reunion and, although she didn’t know about any of our difficulties, she instantly said “ah bless, he’s tongue-tied”.

She explained that James’ tongue was restricted by a piece of skin tying it to the base of his mouth, which meant he couldn’t feed properly. Four days later we took James to see a private consultant. He had his tongue-tie released and I fed him for the first time without pain. It was magical!

It’s a cliché, but I volunteered to give something back to NCT after the difference my antenatal teacher made to me. James was eight months old when I received an email inviting people to step forward to help relaunch the Southport, Formby and Ormskirk branch of NCT.

I went along thinking I might bake a few cakes for a Nearly New Sale, but left a few hours later as Branch Coordinator. That was three years ago and I’m still a volunteer.

I have lost track of how many new friends – and skills – I have picked up along the way. And I love the fact that doing something as simple as allowing a new mum to enjoy a hot cup of tea can put a smile on her face.

Being involved with my local branch has also given me the confidence to raise the issue of tongue-tie treatment and diagnosis with our Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC) and I have written to a number of GPs in our local area urging them to improve the care provided. I will do anything I can to help raise wider awareness and prevent other parents going through what I did.

The media coverage of tongue-tie in February this year is a good example of why NCT is so important as a charity. When Grace was born last year I knew instantly she was tongue-tied, despite reassurances from midwives to the contrary. I was proved right when, having travelled almost 70 miles to see a private consultant, they confirmed her tongue-tie.

Hopefully NCT’s campaign to improve identification and treatment of tongue-tie will ensure that more parents can access the support and help they need locally and reduce the lengthy waiting lists that many parents face.

Yes – definitely. We all squeeze in volunteering for NCT around our family, work and everyday life. Whether you have a couple of hours a week, a month or a year to spare, I know your local branch would welcome you with open arms and offer many new friends and skills in return.