Strengthening familial bonds, enhancing child welfare

In the heart of Wuppertal, the Bethesda Hospital serves as a beacon of hope for many families. Here, the journey of support begins in the birth clinic, with the initiation of contact from the AWO's Flex Plus programme.

Flex Plus is a unique offering, designed to assist parents from challenging backgrounds who may have experienced little love in their own childhood. This comprehensive support extends beyond practical help in daily life, it also aims to educate and empower parents to become good caregivers.

The cornerstone of Flex Plus is the presence of a family midwife or family children's nurse throughout the support process. This continuous care provides a sense of familiarity and trust, crucial for families navigating difficult circumstances.

The support offered by Flex Plus can be incredibly concrete, from helping parents register their child after birth, finding a pediatrician, ensuring proper nutrition, and creating a child-safe apartment. But it also addresses the fundamental question of how to build a strong bond with the child.

Psychologist Beate Lampenscherf leads the Flex Plus team, providing support from pregnancy through the child's third year. Her multidisciplinary team includes social pedagogues, family children's nurses, and family midwives.

The partnership between Flex Plus and the youth welfare office ensures a holistic approach, providing the necessary resources and guidance for families in need.

One success story of Flex Plus is a woman who, while heavily pregnant and homeless, was able to manage and learn a profession, providing well for herself and her child.

The support offered by Flex Plus is not patronizing or controlling, but rather it fosters a collaborative and equal relationship. There is no pressure exerted, but rather a trusting relationship is established.

Flex Plus is part of the nationwide "Week of Educational Support" and young parents learn about the service in pregnancy counseling and through women's and children's doctors. On September 5, Beate Lampenscherf and her team presented the Early Support services on the town hall square in Barmen.

Each year, around 160 families benefit from the Flex Plus support, with around 45 families receiving intensive care. Parents can apply for educational support through the youth welfare office.

The AWO, an organisation in Wuppertal, actively collaborates with parents of children in early life stages, offering the specific programme "Flex plus" to help strengthen parents and ensure healthy child development.