WILD tackles some of the biggest challenges facing young parents and their babies

In Cornwall, we support over 700 young parents and 500 babies every year.

Our work provides a safe space for young parent families to spend time together, and to access help and support, including:  

• Weekly in-person groups  

• Support from WILD workers  

• Online parent chats  

• Advice and information on parenting  

• Support with mental and physical family health  

• Giving your baby the best start in life  

• Attachment and building a bond with your baby  

But did you know our work goes beyond our support groups as we tackle some of the biggest challenges facing young parents and their babies?  

WILD Worker interacts with WILD young parent and child

Working across the system to address insecure housing

We have seen an increase in the number of young parent families living in temporary and emergency housing. This can affect the physical and mental health of young parents and their babies; and make it more difficult for young parents to keep their children safe.

Working with statutory housing providers and local authorities, both in Cornwall and nationally via our National Network, we are highlighting the impact of temporary/insecure housing on young parents and their babies, and advocating for young parents to be prioritised for health and safeguarding reasons.    

Working with Family Nurse Partnerships, Midwifery, and Health Visiting Teams to address health inequality  

We are helping practitioners to better understand what is stopping young parents from getting the help they need. An example is our work on better cervical health for young parents, which found a low uptake of the HPV vaccine amongst young parents. Despite early pregnancy being a risk factor for cervical cancer, these parents are not offered cervical screening, so the HPV vaccine is highly recommended.

Young parents told us the barriers to having the vaccine included education, accessibility, and distrust of services. As a result, a community-based HPV vaccine education and awareness programme is to be delivered by a dedicated team of outreach workers, community navigators, and health improvement workers.    

Working with creative partners to create cultural capital 

Our work is steeped in art, music, and literature, and we have many wonderful partners who have given our young parent community a voice. Art, poetry, and music created by our young parents and their children have been shared in cultural spaces across Cornwall for over 30 years.

Through this work, young parents and their babies are also enjoying cultural spaces, events and activities which they would not otherwise have access to. We are empowering young parents to remove barriers to the arts and build cultural capital for themselves and their families.