Farron welcomes victory in fight to Post Natal care services in South Lakes

2.48.00pm GMT Tue 24th Mar 2009

Local MP Tim Farron has welcomed news that a vital local service has been saved for at least another year. Funding was about to run out on local charity Post Natal Wellbeing and at the 11th hour the funding was found thanks to Barnardos and other charitable organisations and the hard work of local people.

Post Natal Wellbeing is a local charity working out of Stricklandgate House supporting women and their families suffering from the effects of post natal illness. Post Natal Wellbeing aim to reduce the severity and duration of their illness by offering a range of free services tailored to their needs: Drop-in centres, outreach groups, respite care, play facilities, home visits, counseling, telephone helpline, provision of information and liaison with health professionals.

Tim had lobbied hard to win renewed funding for the charity. On Friday he met with Chief Executive of NHS Cumbria, Sue Page, to argue for a long term funding solution and she agreed to look into the matter.

Tim says, "I worked closely with local parents who came to see me in distress after they heard that the charity's funding was running out and asked what I could do. With the support of Barnados and others we have been able to save this vital charity for at least a year. I hope that we can now use this time for find a long term solution to this which will allow many more potential parents use this great service.

Having a child is an enormous blessing but it can also be an extremely difficult and stressful time - new Mums need all the help they can get. I am glad that we have been able to bring about a successful solution to this problem."