Bliss has been awarded £220,350 over three years from The National Lottery Community Fund, over the next three years to expand and enhance support for UK families and babies facing the challenge of a neonatal admission.
This three-year initiative will enable Bliss to deliver increased support services for parents, to ensure that every baby receives the best possible care when born sick or premature. With a focus on embedding family-integrated care and addressing health inequalities, Bliss’ support service closely align with the National Lottery’s priority outcome that babies and children from all backgrounds, and their families, have the community support they need to have a good start in life.
One in seven babies is born needing neonatal care in hospital, and their loved ones are likely to face significant emotional, practical and financial challenges during their stay which can last days, weeks or even months.
The cost of travel, food, and childcare for older siblings, especially if they are unable to stay overnight in hospital accommodation with their baby, is a serious burden – particularly for families already struggling financially.
Many of the families Bliss supports have been thrown into caring for a vulnerable baby in a clinical environment that can feel overwhelming, and their experiences of being a new parent can look very different to what they were expecting.
This generous funding from The National Lottery will enable us to co-create new information resources alongside parents, while adapting our current services to reach and support even more families in ways that meet their individual needs. Our support empowers parents to feel confident in caring for their baby as partners alongside expert healthcare professionals, which evidence shows contributes to improved outcomes for
Caroline Lee-Davey, Bliss’ Chief Executive, said: “This transformational funding from The National Lottery will enable Bliss to expand and enhance our dedicated programme of support, so that parents can access the best possible care for their premature or sick baby.
“We are grateful to The National Lottery for enabling Bliss to reach more families with the resources and support they need, regardless of background or circumstance."
Peter Bradley, Bliss’ Director of Services said: "This National Lottery funding is allowing our teams to provide high-quality support in the ways families need it most. It means we can be there for more parents at an extremely difficult point in their lives, offering guidance, comfort and practical help when their baby needs neonatal care. We are committed to making sure no family feels alone when their new-born is sick in hospital, and this funding helps us move closer to that goal.”
