(Photography by Miranda Mayle)
A lot can happen in 12 months – just ask any new mother!
And everyone at Babes marks the first thrilling year of our Frankston crisis pregnancy centre, 33 new and expecting mothers are especially celebrating the milestone.
That’s the number of local women who have been supported at the warm and welcoming space since it opened in Frankston, and who are still developing parenting skills and knowledge through its free perinatal care program.
(Bubs Aria and Evelyn at our Frankston centre. Photo by Miranda Mayle)
In the year since we first opened on 8 July 2016, exciting developments at The Babes Project Frankston have included:
- 22 babies born,
- 33 mothers supported,
- Five local volunteer midwives and pregnancy support workers,
- One set of twins,
- Two gorgeous girls named Isabella – the most popular name so far,
- And a $50,000 grant from the Andrews Labor Government to grow our Frankston service!
And just as thrilling, from this month we're extending Frankston operations to Tuesday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 9am-5pm, Thursday 10am-5pm - an extra day and longer hours than ever before!
Our Babes Founder and Managing Director Helen Parker joined Centre Manager Kylie, volunteers, and some of our gorgeous mums and bubs for a mini-celebration ahead of the big birthday - and we invited some media too!
Mum Annabel with twins Mila and Cooper, mum Rhayven with Frankie, mum Eryn with Aria, and mum Raechal with Evelyn. Photo by Miranda Mayle.
Seven News, the Frankston Times and Frankston Standard Leader were all super-excited about our big milestone - and the amazing stories our brave mamas had to share about their journey. (Head to our press page for the newspaper stories coming soon!)
The birthday was also a good chance to take stock on what Babes in achieving in the region, and right across our organisation.
"More than 70% of the women we see are referred from government services and hospitals, so it's rewarding to see a growing acknowledgement of the vital work we do to support and supplement the public health system," Helen said.
"We are so passionate about not just helping make ends meet for women to get by in their pregnancy, but really showing them they are valued and valuable, and their baby is valuable - and helping them take confidence in being the best mother they can be."