Family info Link can give you information about many of the issues that come up when you are expecting or thinking about having a baby.
Do you have questions about what will happen after your baby is born?
Do you know what your rights are at work?
Do you know what childcare is available?

Look at the links below or Contact us if you have any further questions.
Preparation for Birth and Parenting Classes are offered by the 8 community-based midwifery teams and any enquiries should be made through your own midwife or health team.

Aquanatal sessions are held on Tuesdays at Avondale Swimming Pool and Wednesdays at Marple Pools.
Sure Start Maternity Grant If you’re on a low income and getting certain benefits or tax credits, you could get a Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-off payment to help towards the cost of maternity and baby items. The grant is tax free and you don’t have to repay it. For more information visit Sure Start Maternity Grant  or contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.

Child Benefit is a tax-free payment that you can claim for your child. It is usually paid every four weeks but can sometimes be paid weekly. The only way to claim Child Benefit is to fill in a claim form and send it to the Child Benefit Office along with your child’s birth or adoption certificate. You can’t claim over the phone or the Internet. You will receive a form in the ‘Bounty Pack’ that’s given to new mothers in hospital. For more information contact Child Benefit Helpline 0845 302 1444, Monday to Friday 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday 8.00am to 4.00pm

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) is the place to go for both employers and employees who are involved in an employment dispute or are seeking information on employment rights and rules. The Helpline provides clear, confidential, independent and impartial advice to assist the caller in resolving issues in the workplace. Helpline 08457 474747 Monday to Friday 8:00am – 8.00pm, Saturday 9:00am -1:00pm, website www.acas.org.uk

Working Families, Information and advice about Tax Credits, rights at work and maternity and paternity rights, telephone 0800 013 0313, website www.workingfamilies.org.uk

Healthy Start vouchers can now be used for plain frozen fruit and vegetables as well as the existing products on the scheme; milk, fresh fruit and veg and infant formula. For more information about Healthy Start visit the website http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk or Contact us for an application form/leaflet.

Tommy’s the Baby Charity, telephone 0870 777 3060, website www.tommys.org

Equality & Human Rights Commission, telephone 0845 604 6610, website www.eoc.org.uk