An Inspiring woman with a life-long Impact

"I met Steph online and she was amazing!! She was the confidence booster I needed to keep going and it is because of her that I was able to keep going" Edinburgh Mum

"Steph was so lovely, kind and genuine I can't thank her enough for the positive impact she made to our breastfeeding journey" Post natal parent

“I was so impressed with the support I received from Steph. Thank you so much.”

These are just three of the many comments that the National Childbirth Trust have received about Steph Guerin and they show just how much of a positive impact she has had on the people she supports.

Steph is a breastfeeding peer supporter with Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies, a Breastfeeding Peer Support programme which offers free breastfeeding support to any parents whose child is receiving breast milk. Steph has been a peer supporter since March 2020 and has supported parents online, in drop-in groups and on the postnatal units at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

She is dedicated and supports up to 30 families a week to achieve their breastfeeding goals and listens to what parents say, building their knowledge and strengths to help them realise how well they know their baby and build their confidence to succeed. She inspires parents and supports them through the ups and downs of their breastfeeding time.

Steph inspires other peer supporters with her passion, care and dedication and is known within the staff team to be an outstanding example of peer support. She makes everyone want to be better and her approach is often reflected by other peer supporters in their interactions with families. The ripple effect of her dedication to volunteering is impressive and far reaching.

Steph loves supporting in the postnatal wards. Post birth, parents are at their most vulnerable, they are often exhausted so when Steph speaks to them, she puts them at ease and ensures they have information for accessing support when they leave hospital. If they need further support she will ensure that is available for them. Hospital staff find her inspiring, reliable and professional. They are always delighted to see her as she works so well with them that their role is made easier.

Steph's commitment to volunteering and the hours she puts in reflects her passion, with her supporting up to 4-5 times a week. She manages this alongside caring for her own family and being a breastfeeding parent herself. Her passion for breastfeeding not only stays within her volunteering time but she signposts families to our service and local services to them if they can't access Lothian services. She celebrates breastfeeding and is often involved in any events and training opportunities.

Steph is also everything you want in a volunteer, reliable, passionate, kind and fun! She has accessorised her hair with breastfeeding bobbles and during covid times a breastfeeding facemask!!

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