Released on: 19 March 2020
NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, has responded to the coronavirus crisis by moving its antenatal courses online
The charity is now running live online classes for expectant mums and dads instead of its usual in-person courses. Chief Executive of NCT, Angela McConville, said:
“We want to support mums and dads-to-be at a very stressful time while taking onboard Government guidance about social distancing. So we've launched our antenatal classes in a digital format and will be providing online courses for the foreseeable future. Expectant parents need social connection now more than ever.
“Our new courses are interactive, engaging and social and provide an essential lifeline in these worrying times. Our experienced course leaders continue to provide essential evidence-based information about pregnancy, birth and the early days with a newborn. They’re still local so also enable new mums and dads to build a community support network of other parents having a baby at the same time.”
NCT is running over 500 online courses each week. Claire and Rob, expectant parents from Huntingdon, said:
“We still have the excellent support network that we signed up for and look forward to keeping in contact with all the other couples we have met through our course. Thank you NCT for making such a stressful time that bit easier, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”
Coronavirus is understandably causing concern amongst many expectant and new parents and worries can often be heightened during pregnancy and in the early days with a newborn. NCT has seen an increase in enquiries from parents who are concerned about a number of things including having to potentially give birth alone, the effects of the virus on babies and demands on healthcare services.
The charity has set up a dedicated Covid-19 team so it can quickly adapt to changing guidance and respond appropriately to enquiries from parents. It is also constantly updating its website to try to reassure, support and inform mums and dads-to-be and new parents at this difficult time.
NCT has a wide range of information on its website, helping to keep a focus on facts not fear, which includes articles on what pregnant women can do if they’re worried about the virus and how to manage at home with a new baby or young family.
Further information about NCT’s virtual antenatal courses can be found here.
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Notes to Editors
For further information about NCT, contact the press office on 07722 839 428 or press@nct.org.uk.
About NCT:
NCT is the UK’s largest charity for parents. Each year it supports millions of parents through their First 1,000 Days, offering evidence-based information and trusted practical and emotional support through its website, helpline, a nationwide network of over 300 local branches, antenatal and postnatal classes, breastfeeding counselling and peer support schemes. For more information call NCT on 0300 330 0770 or visit www.nct.org.uk.
