Baby Week is back in Leeds for its 3rd year from 12th-18th November and Lucy Potter the founder shares with us why this year’s event promises to be the best yet!
Baby Week (12th – 18th November) is back again for its 3rd year in Leeds and the theme is ‘Better Conversations’. We will be promoting the citywide services including Children’s and Families, and Maternity, alongside organisations from the voluntary and public and sector. Last year, the Baby Box was launched in Leeds to expectant mums and this year we are launching a new interactive app ‘50 things to do before 5’ which families can use as a supportive learning resource for children under five years old. We will also be sharing whom our new Baby Champion is so if your baby is born within our baby week, please get in touch with the team (info@babyweek.com) and your baby could be our Baby Champion next year!
Baby Week is an early years initiative raising the awareness of the critical growth stages of a child’s life both mentally and physically and is an adaptation from Semana do Bebe in Brazil (UNICEF 2010). It launched for the first time in Leeds in 2016 following a visit by Lucy Potter (founder of Baby Week) to Brazil and was the first of its kind in the UK.
Visit www.babyweek.co.uk for city-wide activities which include: BoomChikkaBoom’s baby rave on Monday 12 November at Revolucion De Cuba (Leeds); story time with Leeds Libraries on Tuesday 13 November; Little Singers session with Opera North on Wednesday 14 November and on Friday 16 November, there will be a sensory workshop and Tiny Tiger crafts at Leeds City Museum. On Thursday 15 November, the Children’s Centres in Leeds will be hosting their schedule of activities (see the website) so do check out what’s happening in your area and join in with the celebrations. There will also be activities at the weekend: on Saturday 17 November, there is a Family Day at The Light, and then the Leeds Dads Meet Up at The Tetley on Sunday 18 November.
For details of events during Baby Week at your local Children’s Centre click here
For details of events during Baby Week at your local library click here
On Monday 12th November, Baby Week will have an official opening (places limited, click here to book). Wednesday 14th November will feature a conference specifically aimed at professionals where we’ll be talking about challenging issues, including bereavement and babies born with a learning disability (again bookable via our website). On Friday 16th November, Baby Week will be hosting their ‘Ask the Professional’ event in Leeds Kirkgate Market. This event is open to the public from 12.30 – 3 pm and there will be professional representation from Maternity Voices Partnership, Infant Mental Health, as well as Health Visitors and Obstetricians who will be on hand to answer your questions about birth and beyond. The fabulous Bumps and Babes will also be there leading some maternity and postnatal exercise!
