Nearly a year ago, we met our son Finley for the first time on the 31st of July. I was only 26 weeks pregnant, so I hadn't reached my third trimester. When the consultant told us that baby was coming, it was hard to compute. My bump had only just started to really show, we hadn't bought anything for baby and we certainly didn't have a name. There was also a huge fear of what it meant to have a baby 14 weeks early... We are so thankful for all the midwives and doctors who looked after us and arranged a transfer to Bolton where there is a Level 3 NICU where our little man could get the specialist care that he needed. We spent 4 weeks in Bolton before transferring back to Wythenshawe NICU for another 6 weeks. It's hard to explain what this time was like. One of the most challenging parts was leaving our tiny little baby in hospital at the end of each day and going home.

We are so very lucky that Finley is now a happy, healthy boy and at home with us. There are so many other families who have a different story.

Along the way, Spoons offered support to us when everything felt overwhelming and difficult. There were volunteers in the NICU who helped to provide comfort with a friendly ear and an understanding of what we were going through, as they had all been in a similar position before. We've continued to have this support with community groups and trauma therapy that has provided vital support for navigating what parenthood looks like after a challenging start.

We are hoping to raise some money for Spoons, so other families can have this support when their world gets turned upside down and their baby is admitted to the NICU. We will be climbing Snowdon/ Yr Wddfa with our family on Finley's first birthday. Any support is hugely appreciated!

Lots of love xx

Spoons' team of staff and volunteers are here to support families in Greater Manchester who are experiencing neonatal care.

OUR COMMITMENT

We are committed to supporting family-centred care, improving family facilities, and providing emotional and practical support to parents experiencing neonatal care.

WHAT WE DO:

Provide parent peer support

Support parents following discharge from neonatal care

Run free community groups

Raise awareness of neonatal care

Raise funds to improve patient experience and family services on the neonatal unit.