Women with high-risk pregnancies in North Birmingham are accessing vital care and support earlier, thanks to funding from the local NHS.

The “Best Start in Life” project is funded through the Fairer Futures Fund (FFF), a £22.2 million investment designed to support community-led health solutions.

Led by Witton Lodge Community Association and delivered by Spurgeons, the programme provides intensive, one-to-one support for women identified as having high-risk pregnancies.

The project aims to bridge the gap between clinical care and community support, offering  guidance tailored to the individual needs of each mother, from as early as six weeks into pregnancy through to the baby’s first birthday,.

Evidence-based interventions delivered through the project include:

  • Smoking cessation support for expectant mothers.
  • Early access to maternity services and healthy pregnancy guidance.
  • Management of Type 2 diabetes and Gestational Diabetes (GDM).
  • Support for infant vaccinations and safe sleep practices.

To celebrate the programme’s impact, a special ‘Baby Shower’ event has been held at the Lakeside Children’s Centre Family Hub. The event served as a one-stop-shop for expectant parents, featuring a marketplace of local services and professionals, including midwives and health visitors.

Attendees participated in live demonstrations on practical parenting skills, such as safe sleep (cot safety and positioning), bathing, dressing, and car seat safety. The sessions were designed not only to educate but to help expectant parents connect with peers in their local community.

Following the Baby Shower Marketplace, stakeholders from Birmingham City Council and partner organisations gathered to review the programme's impact. The session featured powerful first-hand testimonies from mothers supported by Spurgeons, illustrating how early intervention is driving positive health outcomes in the community.

This initiative marks a significant step toward the goals outlined in the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, specifically the shift from hospital-based care to community-focused prevention. By tackling the root causes of infant mortality at a local level, the project aims to reduce the pressure on acute services while saving lives.

Jonathan Wiggin, Head of Service in Birmingham at Spurgeons, said:

"The Fairer Futures Fund has been a catalyst for this work, allowing us to reach women who might otherwise fall through the gaps in services. By providing intensive, one-to-one support early in the prenatal period, we are giving babies in North Birmingham the best possible start in life and directly addressing the health inequalities that persist in our communities."

Waheed Saleem, Head of Programmes and Partnerships, Witton Lodge Community Association, said:

“We are pleased to be working with Spurgeons to deliver this important project. As the Family Hub in Erdington, Spurgeons is well placed to continue supporting mothers and families beyond pregnancy, offering a wide range of services for children, young people and families up to the age of 19.

The project has been supported by MMP GP Partnerships, midwives, health visitors and community groups. This joined-up approach is vital if we are to tackle infant mortality, reduce inequalities and ensure families receive the right support at the right time."

Phil Johns, Chief Strategy Officer at Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, said:

“This project is a powerful example of how the Fairer Futures Fund can drive meaningful change by creating an evidence base for prevention and early intervention. By investing in community-led initiatives like this, we are hoping to not only address health inequalities in North Birmingham but also ensuring that our resources are used as effectively to give every child a healthier, more secure start in life.”