A NEW programme aimed at giving young, first-time mothers the support they need before, during and after pregnancy has launched across north Hampshire.

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a preventative programme usually offered to first-time mothers and their partners who are aged 19 or under and is now available in Basingstoke and Rushmoor.

It aims to give them the skills and confidence they need to be the best parents they can be.

Mothers taking part in the programme can expect around 60 visits, including 14 during the antenatal period.

The programme, which provides guidance and training from pregnancy through to the first two years of the child’s life, focuses on reinforcing the different strengths each mother has and provides positive reinforcement to support personal changes.

This can include a reduction in smoking, improved diets and healthier eating.

Evidence also shows that the programme can help for other positive outcomes such as a reduction in relationship breakdown, less crime and less substance abuse.

Twenty-year-old Catherine Griffiths, who lives in South Ham, is 30 weeks into her pregnancy.

She said: “My midwife passed along my details to the team. Jane, my nurse, gave me a call and explained the FNP and what they do. We just took it from there.

“It’s really great that the meetings are informal. It helps you to not feel afraid to ask the questions you want too. I think if I had to go to my GP or something I wouldn’t feel as confident or relaxed.”

Fiona Butt, family nurse partnership supervisor, said: “We know from all the research that the programme can make a huge difference to these mothers.”

For more information, visit fnp.nhs.uk.