- Date awarded: July 2026
Thanks to funding from Fife Health Charity and our supporters, a new programme will train up to 12 volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporters, helping more families across Fife access practical, compassionate support during their breastfeeding journey. The project, led by Lisa Cruickshank, Specialist Dietitian in Infant Nutrition, will work in partnership with the Breastfeeding Network to provide accredited training and ongoing support for volunteers.
The volunteers, all mums with personal breastfeeding experience, will receive 24 hours of accredited training before offering support to other parents in their communities. They will provide encouragement and practical guidance both on the postnatal ward at Victoria Hospital and through local breastfeeding support groups across Fife.
Breastfeeding brings significant health benefits for both mums and babies, yet many women stop breastfeeding earlier than they had planned. Access to timely support can make a real difference, helping parents build confidence and overcome challenges during the early weeks and months. The project aims to strengthen the network of community-based support available to families, particularly in areas experiencing higher levels of deprivation where health inequalities can have a lasting impact.
The new volunteers will help sustain and expand Fife's existing breastfeeding support groups, many of which already rely on volunteer peer supporters. By drawing on their own lived experience, volunteers will provide welcoming, empathetic and non-judgemental support, helping mums connect with others and reducing feelings of isolation.
This small grant will support training, accreditation, volunteer recruitment and supervision, with the goal of creating a sustainable volunteer workforce that can continue supporting families for years to come. The project expects to directly support at least 50 families and their babies while helping to improve wellbeing, reduce health inequalities and give more children the best possible start in life.
Many mothers who have benefited from breastfeeding support are keen to give something back to other families. This funding will allow us to train more volunteers, strengthen our community support network and help ensure that parents across Fife can access the encouragement and support they need."
This project is an excellent example of how Fife Health Charity funding supports prevention, community wellbeing and early intervention, helping to improve outcomes for babies, children and families across Fife.
