Maternity Services

Supporting parents from pregnancy and  through the first year of babies life.

Home‑Start Colchester, Jaywick & Clacton has embedded maternity support within our wider early‑help services for many years. Due to recent funding changes, our offer has reduced while we seek further investment to continue this much‑needed support.

Despite this, we remain committed to providing flexible, responsive and relationship‑based help for expectant parents and new families. Our approach is always shaped around each Parent2B’s individual needs.

 Support During Pregnancy

We offer a flexible, bespoke service to help parents feel informed, confident and supported throughout pregnancy. Depending on need, families may access:

• Parents2B peer support groups
• Antenatal education workshops
• Baby packs for essential items
• Antenatal sessions (1‑1 or group)
• Peer parent support groups
• Support, advice and signposting
• Healthy food vouchers
• Emotional wellbeing support
• Practical help at home or in the community
• Assistance to attend appointments
• Bespoke courses tailored to need
• Pregnancy buddy (on request)
• Support to prepare for birth
• Ongoing peer support

Support After Birth up to 1 year.

Once baby arrives, we continue to walk alongside families, offering:

• Stay & Play groups for new parents and babies across Colchester and Tendring
• Courses to build skills (on request)
• Drop‑in information and support sessions
• Signposting to local services for feeding, sleeping, weight checks and developmental milestones
• Help with baby essentials for families experiencing financial difficulty
• Support with applying for grants
• Parenting support through 1‑1 help and group sessions
• Assistance with attending appointments
• Advice and signposting for housing, benefits and financial concerns
• Support to access additional services

 Maternity Groups & Sessions

Colchester

Baby Drop‑In – The Ark Methodist Church, Highwoods

Wednesdays, 10.00–11.00am Alongside Baby Weigh‑In with Health Visitors.

Parents2B Peer Support – Abbots Community Centre, Old Heath

Wednesdays, 12.30–2.00pm

Parents2B Peer Support – Kingsland Church, Stanway

Thursdays, 10.00am–12.00pm

Tendring

Parents2B Peer Support – St James Family Hub, Clacton

Mondays, 10.00–11.30am

 

To find out more about our antenatal workshops and peer support group email Office@homestartcjc.co.uk