Peep Antenatal Project (360G-OCF-A608572)

We will use this grant to adapt the Peep Antenatal Parenting Programme for online delivery and to deliver the Programme to five cohorts (one cohort per/half-term from September 2021 – June 2022.) The Programme is for expectant parents (and babies once born) and straddles the antenatal and postnatal periods. It was developed by Peeple in consultation with Professor Jane Barlow and Warwick Medical School. It has a preventive, strength- based approach focussed on very early relationships. The Programme supports parents’ mentalisation in the perinatal period which allows them to recognise that their babies have their own thoughts, intentions, and feelings and to understand how these influence their behaviour. It also helps parents to reflect on their developing baby, tune in to their baby’s feelings and behaviour and to respond sensitively (known as reflective functioning). Through increasing mentalisation and reflective function, the Programme aims to contribute to the development of secure attachment between parents/carers and baby. The Programme comprises six sessions. Five will be delivered antenatally online (with participation from mother, father and extended family encouraged). All sessions will be a mix of discussion, video clips, sharing of research and advice, songs/rhymes and story sharing. For example, in session three (Transition to Parenthood) we discuss how life might change after birth and gently introduce that our own experiences of being parented will influence our parenting. Throughout the sessions we will signpost parents to other groups or provision (such as libraries, Home Start, Peep Groups, Growing Minds) to support engagement in community activities. The sixth session will be a postnatal ‘reunion’ in person (restrictions permitting). All parents will be invited to join a WhatsApp group; the intention is that each cohort will remain in touch to provide peer support and contribute to the rebuilding of community cohesion post-Covid