The Duchess of Cambridge made a previously unannounced visit to the Sunshine House Children and Young People’s Health and Development Centre in London to learn more about early years development.
The Sunshine House is part of Evelina London Children’s Healthcare, of which Kate is Royal Patron, and it uses a programme called the Family Nurse Partnership to provide new parents with nursing support throughout pregnancy and up until the child is two years old.
“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,” said Janet Powell, Evelina London’s Director of Nursing following Kate’s visit.
A young mother, Amina Deen, also talked through Evelina London about meeting Kate and introducing her to her three year old daughter, Ramira. She 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…and seemed very impressed by the service.”
Another mother, Chole Koroma, who met with Kate to talk about how the Family Nurse Partnership has helped her, later told reporters that Kate “asked how old [my son] Oliver is and what football shirt he was wearing. She said children grow up so quickly and she can’t believe George is six already.”
Kate also joined in a roundtable discussion about the Family Nurse Partnership and other early year development matters with a team of experts.
“It’s addressing inequality fundamentally, so that the young women who are here have the best chance, we would like to think the best chance as a mother-to-be and young mother and young family who had very different life experiences,” said Lynne Reed, the Family Nurse Partnership National Head of Clinic Quality Improvement afterwards.
Powell said that it the program is “a 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.”
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