The National Childbirth Trust offers information and support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. We aim to give every parent the chance to make informed choices. We try to ensure that our services, activities and membership are fully accessible to everyone.

The NCT has been, and still is, at the forefront of every improvement in maternity care in Britain for the past forty years. In the world of pregnancy, birth and parenting, the NCT is the consumer voice, the voice of parents. Every year the NCT gives antenatal and postnatal support to thousands of parents in the UK.

Trafford Branch of the NCT is very active throughout the borough, and has recently set up a group in Urmston/ Stretford. We hold weekly coffee sessions for those with toddlers (to which babies are very welcome too), and monthly "bumps n babes" sessions, where women in the later stages of pregnancy and those with babies under one year old can meet each other for mutual support and friendship. These sessions are held in members' homes, and they provide local parents with the opportunity to meet like-minded people in similar situations to themselves. We also
organise family social events on a regular basis, such as Barbeques, Easter Egg Hunts, Cinema Nights, Meals Out, Chocolate Evenings etc.

Since January 2001, our group has grown from strength to strength. Our numbers are steadily increasing all the time, as news of our existence spreads by word of mouth. Health visitors in the area are passing our details on to interested mothers, and we have placed much publicity in the windows of Urmston and an Ad in the Urmston and Stretford Messenger. We also have a stand at the antenatal classes at Trafford General once a month, and hold postnatal groups for women with newborn babies for six weeks after the birth. We now run a baby and toddler group every Monday (including school holidays) at St Clement's Church Hall, Manor Ave, Urmston, from 10-11:30am. Donation of 1 pound 50p is asked, which includes refreshments for both adult and child. Very new toys and games (thanks to a 500 pound grant) and friendly volunteers running it. A popular group, with a sectioned-off baby corner, so you don't have to wait until your baby is a toddler before getting out to meet people! We also hold twice-yearly 'Good As New Sales' where you can sell and buy good quality second hand baby clothes and goods. Details on the national website www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com

If you are a local parent and are interested in joining the NCT, or would like to try coming along to some of our coffee sessions, please contact the Trafford NCT enquiry
line: 07005 801704.