Cholmondeley RoomHouse of Lords

Tuesday 20 October 20153.30pm - 5pm

2015

NCT Stars Awards 2015

NCT Stars Awards recognise and celebrate the achievement of volunteers dedicated to supporting all new parents during their First 1,000 Days. This

is a critical time in the lives of both parent and child. While becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and joyful experiences, it is also fraught

with enormous challenges. NCT provides a lifeline through our network of volunteers and trained practitioners. This is only possible through our

network of local branches across the UK. Volunteers are the backbone of our charity and all our 320 branches offer essential services in their local

community thanks to our volunteers.

NCT Stars 2015 started early in the year when the public were invited to nominate volunteers. The regional teams judged each region and celebrated regional NCT Stars events. The

regional winners were all put forward to the national heat and were invited to this NCT Stars ceremony at the House of Lords on Tuesday 20 October 2015.

Each and every one of our volunteers deserves to be recognised, awarded and celebrated. It was a hard task to whittle the nominations down to winners. Congratulations to all our Stars.

This booklet showcases the shortlist for each category

Parent supporter of the year

Claire PetcheyAmber Valley branch, East Midlands region

Claire has been running Bumps & Babies for a year and numbers remain high. She has time for everyone and parents have commented on how much they enjoy attending the group as they get to see a friendly face and can relax and enjoy the company of others. She has developed and is responsible for a new lending library, which has books on a range of useful subjects for parents. She also posts on the local mums’ network Facebook page, growing trust among local parents and raising the profile of NCT. Claire makes a massive difference to parents in the area.

Alexandra BirksWest Norfolk branch, East of England region

Alix is fabulous. As Branch Coordinator and now Deputy Branch Coordinator she is the backbone of the branch. Every week, despite having two school age children, she runs several groups for parents and babies at her home and in other locations, where she always helps set up the toys and refreshments. She invites healthcare professionals to come along to ensure new parents have access to local information and resources. Alix is also very good at recruiting and encouraging new volunteers and is committed to networking and promoting NCT. Alix is kind, caring and welcoming to all.

Morag HayesHarrow branch, London region

Morag has been running the Bumps & Babies group for several years, assisted by Margaret from the church. She has helped give the group stability and calm so it can support women when they need it, including one woman who sent a lovely letter to the branch when she went back to work saying how Morag’s support had helped her when her father died shortly after she gave birth. Morag always promotes the branch activities and events at the groups and the branch has recruited several volunteers this way.

Natasha TigheDarlington & District branch, North East region

Natasha helps run a weekly Bumps, Babies & Toddlers Group and is well known for coming up with innovative activities that keep parents coming. These include flapping bats at Halloween, reindeer footprints at Christmas and printing with old welly boots. In her spare time, she also cleans toys and equipment and reorganises the store room to ensure the group runs smoothly. She is especially good at supporting mums with more than one child - playing with the older sibling, so mum some can see to the younger one, or just have a cup of tea. Natasha is also heavily involved in the Nearly New Sales.

Caroline BennisonManchester Trafford branch, North West region

Caroline is a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter. She had an idea that the branch could run a Saturday support group that would support working mums who couldn’t make groups in the week. She secured a £3,000 grant and, having found a venue and sourced toys and equipment, now runs the group every week. She is on hand to emotionally and practically support breastfeeding mums while her husband welcomes dads. She makes a difference to countless families in the area. Caroline has also engaged health care professionals so that they can recommend the group. Her time and devotion is constant.

Catherine McCuskerBelfast branch, Northern Ireland region

Cathy embodies the friendly face of NCT. As well as being Joint Coordinator for Belfast branch she is the Regional Coordinator for Northern Ireland and is always willing to step in even though she has three children to look after herself. She worked hard to get our Bumps & Babies into a more suitable venue and is tireless in promoting NCT to local parents and also their needs to head office. NCT Belfast branch really appreciate her and all she does.

For an NCT volunteer who has supported parents, promoted positive perceptions of parenthood, or achieved supportive services.

Parent supporter of the year

Sarah FoardMarlborough & District branch, South West region

Sarah volunteered for Bumps & Babies and revived it by using her own enthusiasm and desire to help others. She has been especially good at welcoming new parents and helping them to settle in including visiting local antenatal classes to inform parents about branch activities. Sarah has been great at forging links between NCT and the local community, regularly keeping in touch with midwives, health visitors and children’s centres. If she sees anyone she doesn’t know while out and about she’ll be sure to say ‘Hi’ and mention all our events.

Victoria LeonardDundee & North East Fife branch, Scotland region

Victoria started a new group in North East Fife. She greets every new member and makes them feel welcome and supported through the group and also online, via social media. Victoria promotes NCT to everyone she sees, organised a toy drive at Christmas for local children and even got NCT on television to increase our reach all along the east coast of Scotland. She has arranged for one of the groups to be located at the local soft play where the attendees don’t have to pay if they are a part of the group. She is the glue that holds it all together. Every week she is there and every week she makes sure everyone is included. She thinks of everyone else before herself and makes all of the mums feel safe and supported.

Paula EdgarSouthampton branch, South Central region

Paula runs two groups practically single handedly. She has invited music groups to come along to offer free tasters and organised an amazing Christmas party. One group was in a deprived area and when it was

threatened she brought it under NCT umbrella and kept it going. Paula has recently trained to be a Peer Supporter and supports the Breastfeeding Counsellor at Baby Café sessions. She also promotes the sessions via social media to increase attendance and ensure mums needing extra support are reached. Despite working, being a mum and some challenging times, Paula never lets the branch down.

Victoria KingGodalming & Cranleigh District branch, South East region

Viki holds out a hand of friendship to all. As well as caring for her two young boys she is totally dedicated to NCT and supporting breastfeeding mothers, both by providing help herself, and also by encouraging and gaining funding for Breastfeeding Peer Supporter training. She runs the branch’s Feeding Friends breastfeeding group and is known throughout the area as being an effective and empathetic support to new mums. She is active on social media, which she uses to link parents and promote branch events. She is always willing to help and as Membership Coordinator welcomes all new members. Viki is warm and kind and has had a huge impact on local parents. The branch can’t say enough good things about her.

Tess MountfordCardiff & Caerphilly branch, Wales region

Tess runs the Branch Sling Library which has gone from strength to strength with a Facebook page that she set up and a monthly Sling Library which attracts new people. She is hugely helpful and happy to visit parents who cannot attend the meets to ensure they get the slings they need. She also takes the Sling Library to external groups so more people can access its services and has built a relationship with the local gentle parents group, which includes many people, such as young parents, who

would not normally access NCT. She has ensured they have access to slings and also directed them to the rest of the branch activities and support. She is a lovely person with true generosity of spirit who has transformed the resources available to parents in the area – all while being a mum to six children.

Laura CollinsSelby branch, Yorkshire & the Humber region

Laura has been the driving force behind the Sling Library. She has shared her passion for babywearing with the local community and reached a whole new group of parents. In one quarter, the Sling Library raised over £200 and in December every single sling was hired out. In recent months, the sessions have become so popular she has had to introduce a ticketing system. Her knowledge, which she readily shares with other branches, is second to none. She even stepped in at very short notice to help run the Sling Library session at babble live!. Laura is immensely dedicated.

Dawn ProbertCoventry branch, West Midlands region

Dawn exemplifies the NCT ideal of making everyone feel welcome. She runs NCT Coventry’s Bumps & Babies group and is very passionate about reaching new parents. She created a system where new parents at the Bumps groups are identified to her so she can go and chat to them. Dawn has recruited new volunteers for various vacancies within the branch, taking time out on top of her busy schedule to meet with potential volunteers. She is always promoting the benefits of volunteering for NCT, and spreading the word about the impact of the charity. She is open and caring and is dedicated to the charity.

Behind the scenes volunteer of the year

Kizzy HaighBassetlaw branch, East Midlands region

Kizzy has been key to the success and smooth running of the branch. She is steadfastly dependable and is always a positive voice at meetings. Her can-do attitude rubs off and encourages old and new volunteers alike. She is great at spreading the word about events and groups so they are well attended. She is welcoming to parents and happy to answer any questions they have at groups, on Facebook or in the supermarket queue. She is definitely the local face of NCT. Kizzy is a warm-hearted person and the branch would not be standing today if it wasn’t for her.

Sarah DowningDunmow & Braintree branch, East of England region

Sarah is the first stop for anything connected to babble or the infrastructure of the branch. She is always on hand to research policy and procedure and has helped develop Bumps, Babies & Toddler information packs to improve those groups. She has secured grants for the groups, and also to allow the branch to provide free additional weaning groups and parenting classes. Sarah engages with parents through social media and is so dedicated that she manned the door at a Nearly New Sale while heavily pregnant and took minutes at a meeting within two weeks of the birth.

Meghan HarrisonHarrow branch, London region

Meghan has driven forwards fundraising activities for the branch, starting First Aid courses and taking on the bulk of the work for the Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party, which was sponsored by a local soft play hire company. She has successfully won money from Waitrose Green Tokens and continues to coordinate sellers for the Nearly New Sales. She has also been in discussions about a possible Nappy Library. Meghan has been a fantastic support to the team.

Kerry BrayHexham & Tynedale branch, North East region

Kerry has made sure the branch is on a sound financial footing so more can be done to support parents. She has streamlined branch finances and overseen the transition to electronic banking making everything more professional. Her financial understanding and accounting meant the branch could confidently expand its Bumps & Babies. The fact that she is always quick to respond to questions and so thorough aids smooth decision-making. It has made it a lot easier to reach parents during their First 1,000 Days. Thank you Kerry.

Elizabeth SinkerNorth Liverpool branch, North West region

Liz has created a gold standard Nearly New Sale that includes members from as far away as the Wirral and Merseyside as well as North Liverpool. It’s really well known in the area now and brings in much needed revenue. Her scheme of getting all parents selling goods to be involved as volunteers helps new parents feel included in the organisation. She’s been doing it now for 10 years with two other mums who keep going despite their children being school age.

Isabelle ProvidenceReading branch, South Central region

Isabelle’s dedication and endless energy have contributed to a fun atmosphere at the branch. As Branch Secretary, she has worked tirelessly to ensure the branch runs smoothly and new volunteers are welcomed with open arms. She has written welcome documents and volunteer guides, created links between other branches and spent hours writing up minutes. Isabelle is great at working with other branches. She just shines. No meeting feels right without her.

For an NCT volunteer who has supported and helped other volunteers to ensure the smooth running of NCT in their local area.

Anna SalmonEastbourne branch, South East region

Anna has been the main branch contact for parents for many years. She also liaises with other branches and NCT main office to make sure the branch is up to date and supporting everyone fully. She works with local businesses to secure support for the branch as well as promoting antenatal courses and arranging for a Sling Library to attend groups. This has all led to an increase in members and popularity within the local area. She is a friendly, approachable person, equally at ease supporting parents or volunteers and a huge asset to the branch.

Sally ButtLomond branch, Scotland region

Sally has virtually single-handedly kept NCT Lomond branch going for many, many years. She has been Treasurer, Branch Volunteer, Nearly New Sale Coordinator, Branch Web Coordinator – and with so few other volunteers available, most of these roles all at once. Alongside her role as an NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor, she has continued to keep the branch afloat and organise regular Nearly New Sales, which have become an important feature in our local community. In doing so, she has galvanised a group of sale volunteers who have continued to help out many years after their children have grown beyond their First 1,000 Days. The team has become a friendly, close-knit community and a great advertisement for what NCT is all about.

Sharon BourneSwindon branch, South West region

Sharon is committed to making every area of the branch go smoothly and her bubbly personality shines through. Sharon is challenging the perception of NCT though supporting those who are less financially secure. She set up the Baby Bundles scheme which is supplying baby essentials to those in need. She uses persuasive powers to get companies to donate prizes meaning that all events she runs seemingly effortlessly make money. Sharon has tirelessly worked to gain new volunteers and checks that her volunteers are coping with their commitments. She assures people that no matter how little time they can donate it will be worthwhile.

Miki DanionAberconwy & Colwyn branch, Wales region

Miki is a constant face at branch events, such as our Nearly New Sales, and is always welcoming to all parents – old and new. She has been the Treasurer for at least 10 years and is always supportive of new endeavours, explaining how the branch can finance them from funds or forthcoming money from Nearly New Sales. Other volunteers have come and gone, but Miki is always available for team meetings, goes the extra mile to help the branch and is supportive of all our members and volunteers. She is most definitely the face of NCT.

Daniella AbrahamWarwickshire Central branch, West Midlands region

Daniella is relentless in her dedication. She moved into the area with her new baby and took on the Treasurer role, making the accounts more efficient, which helped the branch become one of the top ten fundraising branches. She also took on the Newsletter Editor role, and digitalised the newsletter, which has extended the reach in an incredible way. Plus she took on other tasks such as manning the NCT stands at two summer festivals, and organised an amazing raffle. She is supportive and helpful. She completes everything with a smile and brings enthusiasm and happiness to the branch team.

Victoria HughesHambleton & District branch, Yorkshire & The Humber region

Vikki has been the Newsletter Editor for a number of years and always seeks to produce a good quality publication including writing many articles herself when there are gaps to fill. She has also visited antenatal classes in the local hospital to tell parents about the branch and the services it offers. She updates Facebook, answering new parents’ queries and directing them to the right person. In the past the branch has been fractured but she works hard to ensure it is working together to provide the best service possible to parents.

Growing the reach of the NCT of the year

Emma Beilby-WalmsleyPreston, Fylde & District branch, North West region

Emma is a long standing volunteer at NCT Preston, Fylde & District branch’s Nearly New Sales and also the Branch Publicity Officer. She has come up with numerous, new and ingenious ways of promoting the branch. From managing the Twitter account, posting on social and local media, to painstakingly designing and creating publicity materials, such as leaflets. Emma’s enthusiasm is infectious and she is a dedicated volunteer. She always has well thought out, interesting ideas to contribute and then carries out her plans to high standards. Her first thought is always for local parents and how we might improve what we can offer them.

Jane BrathertonBassetlaw branch, East Midlands region

Jane has done so much for new parents including establishing a playgroup in a less affluent area where there was previously no NCT. She welcomes all parents so they feel accepted whoever they are. She is kind, caring and always goes above and beyond. For example, opening the playgroup when it snowed because that might be the day a new parent needed support. She helps new parents find the right resource they need, including building a bridge between our local NHS breastfeeding initiative and NCT, and has even been known to provide ‘newbie’ mums with ready-made meals. The branch thinks she is indispensable.

Megan BastickEdinburgh North branch, Scotland region

Megan has been largely responsible for the revival of our branch. She is so passionate about what NCT does for parents that after a slump in activity she stepped in as Branch Coordinator and got things going again. She was exceptionally tenacious, getting stuck in with social media to ensure members get the information they need in the way they like and also establishing links at a regional and national level so we know how to function as a branch and meet the needs of our members. This has included restarting fundraising with our first Nearly New Sale in quite a few years. She has worked persistently and we now have a branch that can support current and future members.

Christine FlackBury St Edmunds branch, East of England region

In late 2014 Christine took on the role of Branch Coordinator and has already done a lot. She started a new Coffee Morning group and made sure non-members were not left sitting alone. She also created a new baby show for the area. She is good at managing the branch’s social media and building relationships with local groups and classes for babies and children. She does all this while caring for her five children, three of them under five and including twins. She is very welcoming.

Claire GraceCroydon branch, London region

Claire has worked tirelessly in 2014 and has brought renewed vigour to the branch. She has been instrumental in setting up new groups, revamped the web pages and liaised with UK Office to streamline the branch email traffic. She has used social media platforms to raise the profile of the branch and helped develop better communication of our events by setting up reminders and regular ‘what’s on’ mailshots. Her organisational skills are wonderful and she is able to give everyone a realistic timescale ensuring events run smoothly.

Vicky NormanSunderland & South Tyneside branch, North East region

Vicky has been a committed volunteer for many years, and turns everything she touches into a major success. She transformed the newsletter into a professional-looking publication with good advertising revenue. She has also been the driving force behind baby fairs and Nearly New Sales including finding advertisers and sponsors among local businesses and making sure there are enough volunteers on the day so everything runs smoothly. She also uses her contacts to promote NCT locally and beyond to increase its reach.

For an NCT volunteer who has grown NCT socially, geographically or financially.

Helen GrayHigh Wycombe & District branch, South Central region

Helen is doing great work in promoting the branch locally. She deals with all parents’ membership enquiries and also manages the branch’s social media presence. She makes sure everything on Facebook is up to date and regularly posts relevant articles and starts general discussion threads aimed at engaging parents. She has also set up and run live Twitter chats and we have many more followers and Facebook visitors. Helen also volunteers at Nearly New Sales and has made a huge contribution to making the branch reach more parents.

Merran HiltonSevenoaks & Tonbridge branch, South East region

If anyone deserves an NCT Star, it is Merran, according to her branch. As well as recruiting new volunteers, helping set up a Halloween Party and fundraising and developing partnerships, she helped establish the branch Baby Bundles scheme. This has benefited more than 100 families in need with Merran working tirelessly with health visitors and midwives to identify the right recipients and develop the best bundle contents possible. She gives hours of time to fill out grant applications for the scheme, meet potential sponsors and generate interest on social media and in the press. She also washes, irons and cleans bundle donations to help make the whole thing a success.

Nora GregorySwindon branch, South West region

Nora has taken the role of Membership Coordinator to a new level. She has welcomed new members with her friendly smile and caring nature. Nora and others saw a gap in the local services. She started a one-off support group for new parents of new babies that could then give them the confidence to attend established groups. This reached people that had not been in contact with NCT before. The success was because the attendees did not know any other attendees so felt more comfortable turning up without the already established friendships and were able to forge these themselves.

Sally CaveillCardiff & Caerphilly branch, Wales region

Sally and her joint organiser Clare Coan organised a hugely successful seasonal market that reached a lot of people who had never heard of NCT. Through tireless marketing, including putting up posters all over the area, they ensured the success of the event which attracted more than 300 people and raised around £1,300. They’ve also organised a bag-packing event and numerous cake sales, all spreading the word of NCT and ensuring the future of our breastfeeding group, Latch On, and more. Sally, who is a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, is totally dedicated to NCT and determined to make it possible for Latch On to keep meeting every week in the same venue, and will promote and fundraise to ensure that is the case.

Amanda AlsopWolverhampton branch, West Midlands region

Amanda has taken Toddle, Waddle, Walk – a casual Tuesday walk-and-chat group for babies, toddlers, mums, dads and grandparents, and opened it up to a massive audience. She approached the NHS and, with a lot of determination, had the walk incorporated into its ‘Walking for Health’ scheme. The NHS now publicises the walk in a city-wide leaflet that goes out to thousands of families. She spends a lot of time ensuring the walks are well managed, this includes personal registrations, recruiting helpers, organising rotas and managing money. She continually recruits volunteers both for the group and for the branch. Amanda is exceptionally organised and an asset to NCT.

Clare JonesSheffield & Rotherham branch, Yorkshire & the Humber region

Prior to Clare joining the branch all attempts to gain a presence in the Rotheram area had come to nothing but Clare has managed to set up a coffee group there, a dedicated Facebook page and is working closely with Tesco to provide a playgroup. Clare also organises the volunteers for our Nearly New Sale which is very successful. She played a major role in helping to organise the Christmas Party including helping find a venue, planning events and dressing up as an elf on the day. Clare is always upbeat and cheerful. She is a great addition to the branch.

Kayleigh DunningJersey branch, Channel Islands region

Kayleigh has infectious enthusiasm. She helped establish the Nappy Library and helps host the Saturday group, welcoming parents to both the group and NCT Jersey branch. NCT Jersey branch had been dormant for some time and Kayleigh was the catalyst who was behind the relaunch. She welcomes visiting NCT antenatal teachers arriving from the mainland. She has recruited new volunteers. Despite the remoteness of the branch she does all she can. Kayleigh has been instrumental in increasing the reach of NCT on the island. As Cheeky Monkeys Tea Parties Coordinator it was amazing what she achieved, selling over 220 tickets.

Louise & Jonathan CalowAmber Valley branch, East Midlands region

Louise and Jonathan are responsible for revitalising Amber Valley branch. Louise, as well as being joint Branch Coordinator, is a pump agent and has supported many new mums. They have reenergised the Bumps & Babies Group, which has had a positive impact on the local community and made sure the branch has become more prominent. They have found ways to make the branch more effective including using social media for promotion and transforming the Nearly New Sales process. They have also secured a place for a feeding and changing station at a large county event in the area, which will further promote the branch and NCT.

Tessa BrocklehurstNorth Beds branch, East of England region

Without Tessa, North Beds NCT probably wouldn’t exist. As well as being an Antenatal Teacher and Parent Support volunteer she runs the Bumps & Babies groups, which, due to popular demand, she has recently extended to cater for slightly older, mobile babies. She also organises the Sling Library and Valley Cushion hire, helps out with social media and Nearly New Sales and hosts a group for twins and multiples. She’s also great at face to face relationships, making everyone feel welcome and supported. The branch thinks she is a silent star who deserves recognition for all she does.

Gaby BrownHillingdon branch, London region

Gaby is a friendly, chatty American. It seems to be in her DNA to be warm and welcoming. When she joined the branch, the committee was experiencing difficulties but she made sure Bumps & Babies kept going by hiring a hall in her own name so support for new parents was maintained while the branch got back on track. Now, as Branch Coordinator she has rallied a team and improved infrastructure. One of her recent missions has been to encourage local businesses to offer NCT members discounts. She has raised the branch from the ashes, all in her own time and while caring for two young children.

Sarah BaylisNewcastle & Gateshead branch, North East region

Sarah is such a happy person. She always responds to parents’ emails and was a great support when the branch set up Bumps & Babies. She did a lot of the legwork when the branch was revived and makes sure meetings are held to keep everyone up to date. Even though she has never been official Branch Treasurer she took on much of that role and has also organised Nearly New Sales.

Louise DunnEast Lancashire branch, North West region

Louise has volunteered for NCT East Lancashire branch for 16 years. Louise is a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor and has supported Bumps & Babies groups as a volunteer. Thousands of families have been touched by her commitment. She is amazing at making volunteers feel welcomed and valued. Louise has encouraged volunteers to set up groups and events that appeal to a wide variety of people. Leveraging the enthusiasm and knowledge of others is key to her success. Her branch believe she is verging on saintly. Her length of service and dedication cannot be ignored . She is awesome.

Volunteer of the year

For an NCT volunteer who has gone above and beyond and made a significant impact on people’s lives and wellbeing.

Claire GaskinAberdeen City & Shire branch, Scotland region

Without Claire, a quiet branch would have become moribund. She stepped into the post of Coordinator at a time when committee posts were unfilled and volunteer numbers low. As it is, we now have a vibrant, busy branch with lots of new events and activities supporting the local community, such as a Christmas party and Cheeky Monkeys Tea Parties. Our Facebook page is busier than ever and we have regular groups including breastfeeding support and generally a much greater buzz among parents locally about what the branch is doing. Claire has endless energy and dedication, ably supported by husband Jeff and her mum when needed. As she moves from her Coordinator role to dedicate herself to events, we’ll continue, I’m sure, to see excellent activities that support local parents and raise funds for NCT, as well as making volunteering look a fun thing to do.

Clare CoanCardiff & Caerphilly branch, Wales region

Clare organises and supports all the coffee groups for our branch as well as hosting a group in her own area, which has been running for more than four years. Last year our branch hosted over 150 coffee mornings, supporting nearly 100 mums in their First 1,000 Days. Clare is also a Breastfeeding Counsellor and runs our breastfeeding group, Latch On, coordinating peer supporters and other volunteers as well as organising health visitor visits and other useful sessions. Clare, and her joint organiser, Sally Caveill, work tirelessly to raise money for the branch. She is involved in almost all of our branch activities and events and is always one of the first to volunteer for new things, even though she has her own small children and works as well. She is a true inspiration and a huge asset to NCT.

Laura SkiltonWinchester branch, South Central region

Laura’s hard work has contributed to Winchester branch’s success in the area. She has got many groups off the ground including a Sling Library, Nappy Library, a much-needed Bumps & Babies in Andover and breastfeeding support in Winchester for which she secured press coverage and also a grant. She comes up with ideas for new events, such as a fashion show, while promoting the more established ones. She edits the newsletter if there is no volunteer available. Laura throws herself into every NCT activity and fully supports everyone else involved. She is incredibly modest about her efforts.

Eleni BainbridgeGodalming & Cranleigh District branch, South East region

Eleni is the focal point of all branch events. Her commitment and creativity as Events Coordinator are fantastic. She has arranged many successful events that have attracted local families and increased engagement while raising much needed funds. She has also extended the range of events including a Cheeky Monkeys Christmas Party. The Easter Egg Hunt is now attracting over 200 families, while quarterly toddler crafts events have got so popular that places now have to be booked. The Low-Bangs Fireworks and Halloween Party gets bigger and better every year, now attracting around 2,500 people compared with 350 five years ago.

Dee LanningBridport branch, South West region

Dee’s main successes, aside from being a superb Branch Coordinator, are establishing a now thriving Just Bumps pregnancy group, running Bumps, Babies & Beyond, building a great social media presence, welcoming new volunteers to NCT Bridport branch,

creating professional and effective practices and unstinting commitment to the branch. She has revived the branch from just two volunteers to a thriving branch of more than 20 volunteers. She has brought a fresh focus and energy. She has become the centre of branch team, a familiar face to all the local parents, and a driving force in branch activities and fundraising.

Alison HodsonTelford, Wrekin & District branch, West Midlands region

Alison is Branch Coordinator and has taken a branch that was on the verge of closing and is making it a lovely branch. She encouraged the volunteers to run a Nearly New Sale. She has revitalised the Bumps & Babies group by coordinating volunteers to provide a supportive group that attracts around 45 parents from different backgrounds in a deprived area. Alison has lead the recruitment of volunteers, filling all core roles quickly and helping these volunteers to continue with the branch plan. Alison’s enthusiasm and determination ensures the branch continues to grow and attract more and more parents.

Nicola Gaylor-BrookesDoncaster branch, Yorkshire & The Humber region

Nikki is brilliant. She took on the role of Branch Coordinator in a dormant branch and grew it from nothing. She has done a fantastic job of recruiting and supporting volunteers and the branch now has a range of groups, such as Roll N Stroll, Bumps, Babies & Beyond, Yummy Mummies and a Sling Library. A Nearly New Sale and Baby First Aid Course are also coming up. Nikki is incredibly warm and welcoming in person and via social media. Her daily posts on Facebook, including photos, personal messages and her famous emoticons, could not leave anyone in doubt about being welcomed.

Elaine LambeSoutham & Villages branch, West Midlands region

Elaine is a total superstar. She has given huge amounts of time to NCT over the last decade. She’s a rock of the West Midlands branches and is exceptionally hard working, knowledgeable and committed. As a Regional Coordinator she does an amazing job. She is always at hand to offer advice and can find a link to help answer queries with ease. Elaine has also done an amazing recruitment campaign throughout the year and has filled lots of vacant regional roles for West Midlands. This in turn helps to provide more support to local branches, helping them to develop further.

Anna DentGosport & Lee-On-The-Solent District branch, South Central region

Every great branch needs a good foundation, and Anna’s tireless backroom work has provided a strong base on which the team has built, branching out into new activities such as the hugely successful Little Explorers and Easter Egg Hunt. As well as drumming up and supporting new volunteers, she works tirelessly to advertise and promote branch activities through the newsletter, Facebook and branch website – all without seeking any sort of recognition. It is quite remarkable, particularly as her son has suffered a lot of ill health over the years. She will be sadly missed when she moves on.

Emma Phillips HarringtonAylesbury branch, South Central region

Over many years Emma has held many roles in NCT Aylesbury branch and branch has remained responsive to the needs of parents. Under her leadership the branch moved from a branch that just produced newsletter and held Nearly New Sales to running Bumps & Babies groups, messy play days, and supported the branch coordinator as they expanded into offering baby change facilities at local county shows and the Towersey festival and a hugely successful pamper night. Her wisdom, support and experience are invaluable. She is so friendly and approachable and utterly reliable. Emma’s contribution to NCT locally cannot be understated.

Lydia HassonNorth Somerset branch, South West region

Lydia has worked tirelessly to support local branches, so they can continue supporting parents. She has revived branches, and rejuvenated the regional team. She has encouraged volunteers to tailor their role, thereby creating a lot of freedom and flexibility. She has pioneered new training to branches through webinars. She is continually reassessing the regional plan ensuring that plans are being met. She has great leadership skills and a passion for all things NCT. All this while she still has an active branch role and two young children to care for. She is an asset to NCT.

Karen PatersonDumfries branch, Scotland region

As Scotland Regional Coordinator, Karen has been the voice of NCT volunteers in Scotland for six years. She has worked to make sure that the particular challenges faced by NCT volunteers in Scotland, where NCT is less well known, have been put on the agenda and worked with fellow volunteer regional coordinators to ensure NCT’s policies, procedures, activities and plans for the future are formulated with volunteers in mind. She also represented us on NCT’s Scotland development group, which was set up to build relations with Scottish government, councils, NHS and peer organisations working in the maternity and early years sector. She ensured that NCT’s fantastic network of branches across Scotland was promoted to these external organisations and the benefit of their activity understood. Having stepped down from her volunteering role in 2014 she deserves recognition for all the time and effort she has devoted to NCT over the years.

Commendation

For an NCT volunteer who has given exceptional time or effort at a local, regional or national level.

We’re here for all new parents during the First 1,000 Days – from the start of pregnancy until their child’s second birthday.

We help parents through our:

• supportive UK-wide branch network

• locally delivered professional courses

• popular and trusted website

• national telephone helpline

• evidence-based research

• effective influencing activity.

As a charity, our 5,000 registered volunteers and 100,000 members support us with their time, passion and donations.

Support inperson and online:

www.nct.org.uk0300 330 0700

NCT is a trading name of The National Childbirth Trust Limited company registered in England and Wales: 2370573 Registered address: Alexandra House Oldham Terrace, London, W3 6NH Registered charity in England and Wales: 801395 and Scotland: SC041592 VAT 115 078 924