A special celebration event has taken place to mark a significant achievement by the five SureStart organisations within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area, who have successfully achieved the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Stage 3 Re-accreditation Award.
The Baby Friendly Initiative, run by UNICEF UK, is a nationally recognised programme that supports health and early years services to implement best practices in infant feeding and building close, loving parent-infant relationships. Stage 3 of the accreditation process focuses on the long-term sustainability of this support and the positive impact on families.
South Eastern Trust, Chief Executive, Roisin Coulter, attended the event to personally congratulate staff from Down, Ards, Colin, Lisburn and Bangor SureStart projects.
Speaking at the event, Roisin said, “This is a fantastic achievement for Down, Ards, Colin, Lisburn and Bangor SureStart. This re-accreditation demonstrates the dedication and hard work of staff across all five projects in advising and supporting parents with feeding and helping them build a close and loving relationship with their babies.
“This is a clear example of what can be accomplished with a collective vision, strong collaboration and true partnership working across community and statutory sectors, all focused on improving outcomes for children.
“Throughout the re-accreditation process, SureStart staff have shown incredible effort, commitment and passion in spearheading this initiative across the five projects. I would like to congratulate them on achieving this re-accreditation award.”
South Eastern Trust, Assistant Director, Prevention and Population Health, Lynda Vladeanu, also praised staff adding, “On behalf of the South Eastern Trust Breastfeeding Project Board, I would like to congratulate the five Sure Start projects on their Baby Friendly Re- Accreditation Award. This is an excellent achievement that has been successful through collaboration with community partners and South Eastern Trust Sure Start projects demonstrating the commitment of staff to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers receive support, information and a very high standard of care. “