Put Your Best Foot Forward at The Big Push Ely

Some walkers enjoying a scenic walk past the Cathedral at last years' event

Becoming a parent is an amazing and exciting time, but it can bring challenges too, and the right practical and emotional support can make all the difference for new mums and dads who are struggling with the transition to their new role.

Any new parent can feel isolated, particularly when they live far away from family, and new mums are 300% more likely to suffer from depression than at any other point in their lives. NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, believes every new mum or dad should have the support and information they need to help them feel confident in caring for their baby and themselves, and have a positive experience in the early days of being a parent.

Once again, NCT Isle of ElyBranch is asking you to push your pram, slip on your sling or take your toddlers by the hand and get your family and friends together for The Big Push to raise funds to help further the charity’s work with new parents in need of postnatal care and support.

The Big Push 2013 will take place on Saturday 18th May 2013 at 10.30am. As last year, we will meet at the Bandstand in Jubilee Gardens for fun warm up, before we head off along the river, through the Pocket Park, across town and past the Cathedral, finishing at the gardens once again. You can see a map of the route here.

You can register online to take part (please contact Emma if you have any problems). Registration costs £5 or £8 for a family.

Once again there will be a cake stall and face painter, and this year we are hoping to attract other stall holders too. It is free to join us, but you may like to donate a small percentage of your takings on the day to the cause. If you wish to find out more about being a stall holder please contact Sarah. If you are able to make some cakes please contact Vicky.

You don't have to be a member to take part, so do come along and bring your friends, or use it as an opportunity to make new ones.

Sam Thornton, mum to one-year-old Eddie, says: “I was the first of any of my friends to have a baby. As fantastic as they were, I had no one apart from family who I felt I could chat with about all the things I was going through. I couldn’t go out as I once had, and felt trapped at home.

“Then I found out about a local NCT tea group for new parents. I went along and it was fantastic to share stories with the others. We could talk about our experiences, and just getting out of the house stopped me from feeling isolated.”

Meg Stephenson, Co-ordinator of NCT Isle of Ely Branch, said: 

“The Big Push will raise much-needed funds to help NCT provide every new mum or dad with the support which can make such a difference to anyone struggling to cope with the reality of being a parent.

“It’s also a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air with the kids this summer, catch up with old friends and meet new ones. We hope to see you there!”

Every year, NCT supports hundreds of thousands of new and soon-to-be parents through support groups on their doorsteps, postnatal courses, breastfeeding peer support, a national helpline staffed by qualified practitioners and much more. The funds raised through Big Push will enable each of these services to continue running so parents can find support when they need it most.

So, why not sign up now?