Volunteers are being urged to come forward to become breastfeeding peer supports for new mums in Dorset.
The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) Dorset is looking for mums who are passionate about breastfeeding to volunteer and help support parents across the county.

BfN Dorset is commissioned by Public Health Dorset to provide families with information and support with a range of everyday breastfeeding challenges, support with positioning and attachment as well as emotional and moral support.
“From pregnancy through to natural-term weaning, combi-feeding, expressing or exclusively breastfeeding, all parents are welcome at any stage of their journey,” said a spokesman.
The fully-funded training gives mums the opportunity to gain an OCN accredited Level 2 qualification.
They will then go on to volunteer in their community, offering friendly support and information to other parents, as well a safe space and a community for like-minded parents.
“Our volunteers receive regular supervision sessions to help with their ongoing training and support needs, and become part of the wider Breastfeeding Network team, as well as being able to go on and complete further training if they want to (dependent on availability of funding),” the spokesman added.

The next BfN Dorset Level 2 peer helpers course is running from April 20, lasting for 12 weeks, with a two-hour session per week delivered online via Zoom.
BfN Dorset is looking for volunteers across Dorset, particularly:
Somerford (Monday mornings)
Weymouth (Monday mornings)
Blandford (Friday mornings)
Wareham/Bovington (day tbc)
Dorchester (day tbc)
Sherborne (Tuesday mornings)
Boscombe (Monday mornings).
Sam Morris, a peer helper volunteer, said: “I’m very privileged to support families when they’re growing and moving into the next stage of their life, as much as I can help others, it’s personally rewarding to be in this lucky position too.”
Ashley Gallimore, BfN Dorset service manager, added: “Our service relies on our amazing volunteers to support parents, and our training courses really equip our volunteers to do this.
“The OCN accreditation means that our volunteers are gaining a qualification and valuable experience while also doing something they’re all so passionate about. “We’re so excited to expand our team of volunteers.”

Fill in the application form at breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/30859-2.
For more information, visit breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dorset.