Join our Perinatal Peer Support Network
We are delighted to announce that The Nest’s successful Perinatal Peer Support Network (PPSN) has just received funding from The National Lottery to take on more volunteers to offer perinatal peer support to women and birthing people in Exeter. This is the third wave of recruitment we’ve run, the difference this time is that we are opening up to applications from the wider local community. The aim is to support and encourage new parents as they prepare and transition into parenthood, by reducing anxiety, increasing well-being and supporting bonding with their baby.
About Us
The Nest Southwest is an Exeter based not-for-profit community interest company. We support women, girls and menstruators through the major life transitions of menstruation, pregnancy, birth, and menopause by providing social, emotional, and informational support. We run regular groups for pregnancy, new parents, a Walk & Talk group, Baby Loss Conversation Café, Core Restore and yoga classes and hire out low cost birth equipment. We also have a menopause peer support network of volunteers with two monthly menopause support groups. We have run successful programs delivering menstrual education in schools and women’s well-being events for women of colour and from diverse cultural backgrounds. We are passionate about inclusivity, are LGBTQIA+ friendly and anti-racist.
About the PPSN
Launched in 2021, The Nest’s Perinatal Peer Support Network is a small group of women who have lived experience of pregnancy, birth, and parenting, and who are trained with us to learn how to support local women and birthing people through this transition. We are now looking to expand this network, could you join us?
If you have lived experience of birth and parenting, have good listening and communication skills, and are keen to support others through this transition, we would love to hear from you. We especially welcome applications from non-binary birthing people, women of colour and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Please note that you must be able to commit to this role for a minimum of 8 months.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering is an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. It allows individuals to contribute to their communities, gain new skills and experiences, make new friends, and improve their mental and physical health. Additionally, volunteering can have positive impacts on society and the environment.
At the Nest we promote gender equality and recognize the unique experiences and struggles of individuals who face overlapping forms of oppression, including discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, and more. Volunteering with The Nest means being part of something bigger and creating real change in peoples lives.
We offer full induction into The Nest policies, procedures, and code of conduct. Our Perinatal Peer Supporter training goes on to include active listening techniques, birth debriefing, safeguarding, overview of birth and breastfeeding biology, understanding local healthcare services, cultural competency, and LGBT+ inclusive language. There are ongoing group supervision sessions, with individual support as required, reimbursement of travel costs if needed and regular wider team get-togethers. We like to believe that being part of The Nest team is about being part of creating a cohesive society where these rites of passage are honoured as gateways of personal development as well as biological milestones.
Join us!
If you are interested in joining our friendly team, you can find out more and apply here:
The deadline for applications is 31st May 2023
