Mothers' Union Baby Pit Stop

Mothers' Union members run the Baby Pit Stop tent at the Cheshire Show for 2 days in June each year. This year, in the wonderful heat, over 200 families visited the tent to use our facilities.

	A smiling face and a warm welcome
	Even Dads enjoy a rest

Parenting Course

Audrey Leatham, Branch Leader of St Michael and All Angels Pensby, completed the Parenting Facilitators Course in the summer of 2007. Here she is at St Michael's Church, Newton with some of the parents and grandparents who have come together for a six week course on 'What can the parent of a teenager do?'
The course looks at a number of issues such as: -Where do I start?, listening skills, managing conflict, teenagers and discipline and the healthy family. Through group discussion, watching a DVD, case studies and finishing with a much needed time of relaxation; this group of parents will work together, under the guiding hand of Audrey, to help them through one of the most challenging phases of family life.

Soup Kitchens

Chester Diocese has been linked with Cape Town since 1972 and members have been providing the funding for the Soup Kitchens for many, many years.

There are now some 37 Soup Kitchens in Cape Town ( this has recently been divided into three diocese of Cape Town, False Bay and Saldanah Bay) and approximately 3,000 children and adults are fed each week.

The soup powder is provided in 25kg. sacks and the soup when made is supplemented with fresh vegetables which have been grown in vicarage gardens, or obtained from shops at the end of the day when they are sold off cheaply, because they are out of date. Out of date bread is also bought then, if there is any available.

The members who make the soup are very proud to do so , and consider it an honour to make it, and find the vegetables that go in it. Five members of Chester M.U (including myself) were privileged to go out to Cape Town to see the work of the M.U. and go to one of the soup kitchens. We were told to be at the arranged site ( a piece of waste ground) at a certain time - but one has to remember our time and African time are not the same !!!!! However, after a while two cars arrived, went to the centre of the piece of ground, and sounded their horns. Immediately, from seemingly nowhere, dozens and dozens of children came running clutching a mug, bowl, margarine carton, anything that would hold soup, and miraculously formed two lines behind the cars, no pushing or shoving. Then they put their hands together and prayed. I enquired what they were praying and was told it was the Lords Prayer (in their own language) and that they always did this.

The soup was in huge containers, and was lifted out of the cars, and the children were then served with their portion. Some children received a slice of bread, but there was not enough for each child - but not one of them complained . About 200 children were served that day. Believe me, the five of us stood there with tears running down our faces to see children queuing like this for food, the only hot food they would get that day.

There were some teenagers standing to one side and I went to talk to them - on enquiring why they had not joined the queue, I was told that they were lucky enough to have had a hot meal at home, so they did not want to take anything away from the other children. One of them asked where I was from - I said Chester in England - "Ooooh is that anywhere near Manchester" they said - "Manchester United - Oooohh!!! David Beckham".

It was a visit none of us will ever forget.

Sheila Melton- Chester Archdeaconry President

Away-from-it-all holidays

Away from it all holidays is a scheme that offers caravan holidays to families who have been subjected to Domestic Violence or that they have a disabled child who needs 24/7 care , and some just need time out to reassess the family unit.

The Haven Caravan Parks that are used are around Blackpool and North Wales, which are of easy access as we don't provide transport. Each van is supplied with linen, and free entertainment passes. Cots and High Chair are available if needed.

Every referral is special as each family has some kind of problem and to offer them a holiday is so rewarding for them and the referees. The referrals come from Women's Aid refuges, Social Services, Doctors and Clergy.

We have sent 26 adults and 50 children away in 2010. They are all very grateful to Mothers' Union, as some have never had a holiday.

The letters and pictures received afterwards of how much they have enjoyed the holiday and how it has given them the strength and confidence to carry on, is heart-warming as many of them are at breaking point.

To be able to send more families away we need more funds.

Present Aid

Teach a man to read and you teach just one man- teach a woman to read and you teach a family

Make a world of difference with Chester Mothers' Union Present Aid

The Mothers' Union Literacy and development programme helps to break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty. Working where the need is greatest it empowers men and women, building on their experience and skills, to become leaders in their communities and to find jobs and to develop projects that benefit communities.

Give a gift that can change a life for just £25- proceeds go towards funding literacy projects in Sudan, Malawi and Rwanda. Contact Us for more details

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 24: 3-4

Helping Visitors to the Young Offenders Prison at Thorn Cross

Mothers' Union members from Great Budworth and Frodsham Deaneries help to look after the children of visitors to Thorn Cross YOI on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Some are the children of relatives of the prisoners, and some are their own children.

There is a very well-equipped safe play area adjoining the visiting hall and the children come and go freely between the two. Quite often families have travelled a considerable distance and so it is a great help to have somewhere where the children can be active. In good weather the children can play out in a secure grassed area leading out from the play room.

Visits are a stressful time for the lads and their families, so this facility is a great help for everyone involved and is much appreciated.

Two Mothers' Union members play and talk with the children. Often there is an opportunity to chat to visitors. There is no contact with the prisoners. There are two sessions of one hour during the afternoon. Numbers of children vary, not usually exceeding six. The childrens' ages range from pre-school to juniors and there are suitable toys for everyone.

Mothers' Union members also attend events organised by the Chaplaincy team at the prison, such as Carol services and concerts.

New volunteers for this work are always welcome. There is an urgent need for help on Sunday afternoons. Anyone interested should contact the Mothers' Union Office at Chester. CRB clearance is required.

Virtual Babies

The aim of the virtual baby program is to help reduce the high instance of un-wanted pregnancies particularly in teenagers and to educate them on the realities of parenthood.

Through one of the Virtual baby computer programmes we let children (Year 10, 14-15 year old boys and girls) explore the realities of looking after a baby.

One of the main messages we deliver is that in life we have to make a series of choices about subjects such as careers, money, education, social life and parenting. Mothers' Union message is "to make a conscious choice to become a parent when it is the right time for you and your partner".

The interaction and feedback from the children was and continues to be excellent they learn such things as:

• Babies are not just toys to dress up and sit in prams (many believe this).
• Babies are demanding requiring constant care from the parents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, for many years to come!
• Crying is the baby's only way of communicating and can be very hard for the parents.
• Sharing the load through two parents is much more rewarding and responsible for babies and parents alike.
• All life decisions (career, money, social life, becoming a parent etc) are better considered rather than entered into without thought of the real impact.
• The importance of Hygiene with babies and children.
• The risks of drug taking in pregnancy including smoking and drinking.
• Key safety messages such as not leaving babies unattended, on worktops, nears animals such as dogs and cats.
• Babies need constant patient care and love. Every baby is special and unique.

Congleton Virtual Babies

To purchase our first baby we asked our members to contribute £2 each. We called our first baby Grace.

The project has been running with Congleton High School and Holmes Chapel High School. Funds have been raised from different sources including: Congleton Inclosure Trust Mayoral funds Continued contributions by Mothers' Union members

There is now a team of seven ladies who share the responsibility of going into the schools with the babies and delivering the messages.

The results of the project can only be measured by the extremely positive feedback from teachers and children, so much so that the purchase of more babies became necessary We have subsequently purchased two more babies, Jacob and David.. As one Mothers' Union member said, "if it stops one unwanted pregnancy it has been worthwhile"! An added bonus for us (the team going into the schools) is meeting and talking to the pupils who continue to show an enthusiastic interest.

Wirral Virtual Babies

The Wirral Virtual Baby Project is a team effort from four Deaneries in Chester Diocese: Wallasey, Wirral North, Wirral South and Birkenhead. During 2008 we planned out what was needed with much help and guidance from Jenny Gillies, our Family Life Officer, who had used the babies before. We had training from Life Choices, who make the babies and we bought five. Money was provided by: St Michael and All Angels, Newton, St Saviour, Oxton, The St Bridget's Educational Trust, The Mothers' Union Britain and Ireland Fund as well as donations from branches in the four Deaneries. Our babies are Josh, Lucy, Lily, Chloe and Isaac to us but the pupils name their own baby for the weekend that they take them home. We are now working with Whitby High School in Ellesmere Port, Hilbre High School in West Kirby and Wallasey School.

Little Stars Family Support Groups

Supporting families who have had a baby on a Neonatal Unit

Families who have had a baby on a neonatal unit often feel anxious and alone when their baby has been discharged home. For those living on the Wirral attending the Wirral Resource Centre in Birkenhead has been a lifeline for many families. Talking and sharing with people who have gone through the same experience makes a big difference.
For more details see: http://www.wirralresource.co.uk

'Families help, but no one else understands, unless they have been through it,' says Clare after her baby spent several weeks on a neonatal unit. Clare attends the support group in Birkenhead. 'I can say things to the mums here, because they understand where I am coming from.'

The Mothers' Union is working with the Cheshire and Merseyside Neonatal Network, and Bliss to set up a network of support groups for families who have had a baby on a neonatal unit.

There are now six 'Little Stars Groups' meeting in Wirral and Cheshire. There are play facilities for children aged 0 - 5 years old and a warm welcome for parents, grandparents and carers.

Chester: St Mark's Church Centre, St Marks Rd, Lache-cum-Saltney CH4 8DE Contact: 01244 976 100 First Tuesday each month from 1.30 - 3pm		St Michael's Community Church centre, Neston Contact: nestonsupportgroup@hotmail.co.uk Fourth Wednesday each month from 1.30 - 3pm
Main Street Community Church Center, Main St, Frodsham WA6 7DF Contact :01244 976 210 Third Monday each month from 1 - 2.15pm		St Michael's Community Church centre, Pensby Contact t:0151 648 2404 e:pensbysupportgroup@hotmail.co.uk Last Tuesday each month from 10.00am - 11.45am
Mablins Lane Children's Centre, Mablins Lane, Crewe CW1 3YR Contact: 01270 376581 Fourth Tuesday each month 1 - 3pm		St Michael and All Angels Church Centre, Number 28 Hightown, Middlewich CW10 9AN Second Wednesday each month 10 - 12noon

Click HERE and HERE for more details.