Emotional support
- Someone to talk to during and after your baby’s time on the neonatal unit
- Support during difficult appointments and conversations with doctors
- Emotional support for your baby’s siblings
- Bereavement support for the whole family.
“Rainbow Trust allowed me to see my baby more than once a week.”
Practical support
- Respite - Sit with your baby if you would like some time to yourself and a break from the unit
- Hospital support - Support you whilst you are on the unit, attending appointments with you and being there to talk when needed
- Sibling support - Help with care of siblings, supporting them at home, the hospital or taking them out for the day so they don’t feel left out or forgotten. Can also help with school drop-off and pickups
- Transport - Help you with transport to and from hospital.
Flexible support
Neonatal Support Workers are extremely flexible to help families in the best way possible.
Timeframe
Once Rainbow Trust has received your referral, a Neonatal Support Worker will contact you to arrange an assessment visit, which can be in the hospital, your home, or wherever is convenient for you. Support will begin after we have completed this. We aim for the service to be responsive to your individual needs and this part of the process will be flexible and aim to accommodate to your needs.
After discharge
Rainbow Trust can also help your family once your baby is discharged from hospital, with sibling support, and support when attending follow-up appointments.