What we do for parents
In person, online or on the phone: we provide support for parents through our antenatal and postnatal courses, website, local branches and community infrastructure, support line ... and much more.
Courses for parents
Our courses support over 100,000 parents each year.
We know how important it is for parents to find the information they need to prepare for their new life. That’s why we offer a range of courses to support parents through their transition.
NCT Signature antenatal and NCT Essentials antenatal help mums- and dads-to-be work out how to approach labour, practice birthing positions and breathing, as well as parenting skills. Our
postnatal courses
aim to help parents feel more confident and supported in your new life as a parent. All our courses provide lots of emotional support, from both the teacher and from the other parents to be in the class.
Local branch support
We currently have over 300 branches with 15,000 volunteers on hand to help with local branch and community support.
Our nationwide network of local branches has evolved to reach and support all parents and parents-to-be during their First 1,000 Days - a time of major change in their lives. This is made possible thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, who organise a wide range of social activities and events to enable local parents to meet and access support.
Information
Our website and digital support reaches over 3 million parents and parents-to-be each year. Every new parent faces a steep learning curve. That's why we provide evidence-based information in easy-to-understand formats, via our website and social media, covering pregnancy, birth and parenting. Our courses, branch newsletters, members' e-newsletter and magazine also prove to be a valuable resource for parents.
Support line
Our national support line offers access to specialist information and support on pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding from our highly-trained, specialist breastfeeding counsellors and antenatal teachers. Our support line also offers postnatal support with issues such as crying, sleep and depression in the weeks after birth.
We also have a Shared Experiences Helpline for those who have had a challenging experience during their pregnancy, birth or early parenthood which enables callers to talk to a volunteer who has had a similar experience.
Nearly new sales
NCT branches run nearly new sales where parents can purchase high-quality baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment at bargain prices, straight from their loving owners.
Bumps and babies groups
These small, friendly, local groups give new parents and parents to be the chance to meet regularly, make new friends and grow in confidence.
What we do for midwives and allied healthcare professionals
We support them in their studies and Continued Professional Development through subscription to the quarterly MIDIRS Digest publication or subscription to our comprehensive reference database and library. This is all managed through the Midwives Information & Resource Service now part of NCT.
NCT and Research
NCT uses evidence to underpin its information and services. We believe in the importance of using high-quality research findings to inform public policy.
We have
a long tradition of user involvement in setting the research agenda, influencing research questions, participation in collaborative research, research on parents’ experiences and needs, critiquing research and reviews of evidence, and disseminating and using research findings.
We believe that the services and information for parents should be responsive to parents' needs and preferences, work towards promoting public health and well-being, and help to provide a positive start in life for children. For this to be possible, it is necessary to be able to draw upon high quality evidence from both quantitative and qualitative research.
We arrange research-based and evidence-informed information under: Pregnancy, birth and postnatal care, Feeding babies, Programme for evaluation of NCT services, Parenting and Public health.