Jay backs new programme to protect babies
Jay Spearing has backed a new NSPCC programme on Merseyside to educate new parents about the risks of inflicting head injuries on babies.
The Reds midfielder joined Everton's Apostolos Vellios to help raise awareness of the 'Preventing Non Accidental Head Injury' (NAHI) programme, which is a pioneering service from the NSPCC that is being delivered at Liverpool Women's Hospital. It focuses on educating parents about the risks of shaking babies and gives practical coping strategies for the pressures of parenthood.
The players are the faces of new posters promoting the NAHI programme being displayed on the Maternity Ward at Liverpool Women's Hospital.
Spearing said: "I'm proud to be supporting the NSPCC's work to prevent babies from suffering non accidental head injuries. As a father myself, I know how precious children are and I'm pleased to be supporting this work to help new mums and dads keep their child protected and safe."
The NAHI programme involves midwives and health professionals simply showing new parents a short film before they are discharged from hospital.
The film helps mums and dads understand the dangers of shaking a baby, how to respond to their baby crying, and how to cope with feeling stressed and tired. The midwives talk to the parents about the film and answer questions.
Carol Kennedy, children's services manager at the NSPCC, said: "Many parents are unaware of the dangers of shaking a baby, so we are delighted to have the support of Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs to help us raise awareness to new parents.
"By informing them before they take their newborn home we aim to help parents get off on the right foot - and crucially set the pattern for effective parenting later on to help keep their baby safe."
For more information about the NSPCC's work to prevent the abuse of babies and toddlers, please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/allbabiescount and pledge your support for the NSPCC's All Babies Count campaign.