Duchess of Cambridge visits young parents at Evelina London

Mum Amina and daughter Ramira meeting The Duchess of Cambridge

Evelina London Patron, The Duchess of Cambridge, visited Sunshine House Children and Young People’s Development Centre, one of the centres where Evelina London provides community services for families in Southwark.

During the visit to Sunshine House in Peckham, Her Royal Highness met a specialist team of nurses who support first-time parents aged 24 and under.

National programme, Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), is delivered by our community services in Southwark. The programme supports young mums to have a healthy pregnancy, and improve their child’s health and development. Parents are partnered with a specially trained family nurse who visits them regularly from early pregnancy until the child is two.

The Duchess was greeted by delighted staff and families before also meeting young parents who have been supported by the Evelina London FNP team

Amina Deen, 23, from Elephant and Castle in south east London, spoke to The Duchess about the care she received. She was supported by the FNP team during the first two years of her three-year-old daughter Ramira’s life.

Amina said: “The Duchess was lovely and down to earth. She was very interested in Ramira and asked lots of questions about the support I received from the Evelina London FNP team and seemed very impressed by the service.

“When I was pregnant with Ramira, my nurse Debbie helped me find suitable housing.  When Ramira was born she would regularly visit us and we attended classes together at my local children’s centre. Debbie has constantly been there for Ramira and me. I feel very thankful for the support I’ve received from the Evelina London FNP team. It’s given me the confidence and knowledge to be an even better parent.”

Janet Powell, Evelina London Director of Nursing, said: “It was fantastic to welcome our Patron, The Duchess of Cambridge, back to Evelina London to meet our Family Nurse Partnership team. They do a truly fantastic job supporting young parents to provide the very best care possible to their children.

“We are at the heart of our local communities in Lambeth and Southwark, giving children the very best start in life. We care for children, young people and their families at home and close to home, in clinics, health centres, schools and nurseries. 

“This year is extra special for us as we have been celebrating our 150th anniversary. Our birthday wish is to be there for even more children and young people who need us.”

Family Nurse Partnership is delivered in around 70 areas across England and each local team is made up of specially trained family nurse supervisors, family nurses and quality support officers.