For many families, pregnancy and the arrival of a new baby can be both exciting and overwhelming. Thanks to support from the Your West Support Fund, more West Auckland parents will soon have access to dedicated education and support services to help them navigate that journey.
The Well Foundation, the official charity of Waitākere and North Shore Hospitals, has received $20,000 from the latest Your West Support Fund towards a new education space within the Primary Birthing Unit currently being built at Waitākere Hospital. The funding will contribute towards the fit-out of the new space, including equipment, teaching resources and furniture to make the education hub welcoming and comfortable for whānau.
‘The purpose-built space will provide a central hub for antenatal education, postnatal support groups and parenting programmes to support whānau during pregnancy and the early years of a child’s life,’ says Heidi Wilde, Director of Fundraising, Partnerships & Communications at the Well Foundation.
Heidi says the Your West Support Fund grant is in addition to government funding and helps provide items that may not otherwise be included in the project.
The new facility addresses a long-standing challenge for maternity teams, who currently deliver classes in a variety of hired community venues. While these programmes are highly valued, securing suitable locations can be difficult, expensive and inconvenient for both staff and families. The dedicated education room will enable families to access learning and support in the same place they receive maternity care. Evening and weekend sessions will also make it easier for working parents and caregivers to attend.
Heidi says that more than 1,000 parents and caregivers are expected to benefit from the education hub each year. The initiative will support families from across West Auckland, including Henderson, Massey, Te Atatū, Glen Eden, Rānui and Avondale.
Beyond supporting parents, the programme is expected to have lasting benefits for children by encouraging healthy pregnancies, safe infant care practices and stronger family connections.
Scheduled to open in 2028, the Primary Birthing Unit will welcome many of West Auckland’s newest residents in the years ahead. Support from donors and funders, including the Your West Support Fund, will help ensure local families have access to the knowledge, skills and connections they need to give their children the best possible start in life.
‘This transformational project is only possible thanks to the generosity of donors, partners and our wider community,’ says Heidi. ‘Together we are helping give every child the strongest possible start to life.’
Anyone who would like to support the project can find out more through the Well Foundation.
Learn more about the Well Foundation at wellfoundation.org.nz or follow them on Facebook.
If you or your organisation could use support from The Trusts, find out how to apply at thetrusts.co.nz/our-funds.
