Live webchat with NCT chief executive Belinda Phipps, Thurs 17 Sept, 1-2pm

[GeraldineMumsnet]

We're very pleased to welcome Belinda Phipps for a live webchat this Thursday.

Belinda has posted on threads discussing the NCT, eg this one in April. So we're glad she's coming on for a bit longer tomorrow and can respond to your comments and queries about the NCT.

We're going to send over any questions you've posted by the end of this afternoon for some advance answers, to leave as much time as possible for questions during the live chat.

Hope you can join us.

RGrice - I have also watched a fabulous NCT AN teacher at work. But I don't think they are all as impartial...and perhaps there are good reasons for that, to some extent.

Yes deepdarkwood, I asked that one:

"Are there any studies or evaluations that show that attending NCT classes improves birth outcomes or rates of antenatal depression?"

on what branches send to the UK office - we used to have a very complicated system - which pretty much added up to 70:30 - but now simplyfied - so you can see what is being sent

we use the money to train workers - to campaign etc - you can see it in the annual report - or on the AGM film - which is on the website - will I find you the link

If branches are struggling your regional volunteers are there to help www.nct.org.uk/members/regional

and we have the lovely Tim and Charlotte in the fundraising team who can help - they can be reached via [email protected]

(I think the Swedish (??) study showed that actually rates were slightly INCREASED for instrumental births...?)

I think I am supposed to wrap up now - and my typing has reached its limit - altho this is just one hour - we the NCt are here - and you can get in touch on the website - you can call us and e mail us -

Its really good to hear from you - esp the things you need us to change -

If I have not answered something thats importnt for you - just e mail [email protected]

Belinda

Thanks Belinda for coming on

another thought - do you think that the NCT could use the web more effectively ?

Here we have the wonderful TikTok who very patiently deals with all sorts of breastfeeding problems, but theres obviously a need for breastfeeding support from BFCs, and for good information from ANCs for the myriad of women coming on with worries.

Would the NCT be interested in faciliating official support on MN ?

Justabout autumn

I am a NCt volunteer, and one of the girls in our coffee group was actually complaining about one of the party's our branch did - an easter one i think - it was ok, but a bit babyish i think and i think she said she could do better.

And you know what - she did - She set up a team of people ( me included ) and she set up our branches first ever halloween party and it was so good! in fact the best party the branch had ever had - both funwise and fundraising. You really can come in and maek a difference. one way to do it would be bring some of your friends along with you. Your local group would be lucky to have you i think!

Thanks Belinda - very interesting and informative

When I play Fantasy NCT Chair, I:

• split the campaigning wing off (and still call it NCT)
• Make the membership fee voluntary
• re-launch the classes / post-natal services under a new umbrella, called the National Families Trust
• Strangle anyone who approaches me with a hypnobirthing CD

Thank you, Belinda.

I will renew my NCT membership as a direct result of you speaking here

Surely you would need to choke them with it MP? or cut it into shards and attack em...

Thanks very much to Belinda for joining us and for all your questions.

I could spin it through the air like a ninja-frisbee?

deepdarkwood - you're probably right - but they shouldn't be. Their job is to be impartial - perhaps this could be picked up with more observations from on high - i know they do get monitored/assessed, but perhaps it needs to be more often - or perhaps the monitoring person needs to watch a full set of classes instead of single ones here and there.

I know the teacher's may have their own reasons for what they say/think, but they should learn during thei training to put that to one side. I've just started training as a BFC and we have to learn to be impartial and not bring our own feelings and past experiences into our counselling. So should they.

What about people who will find hypnobirthing useful, MP? Why are you not meeting their needs?

(See, just because YOU think something's right, it's not, not necessarily. It's one of the biggest challenges the NCT or organisations like it face, actually - not the farmhouse/cookie conundrum you mention earlier).

Good discussion

Moningpaper, I think you might be a little violent and dogmatic to be chair

And your fervent dislikes are far more socially exclusive than anything NCT has been accused of, so far!

(speaking up for 40-yr-old farmers who bake...what on earth is wrong with them, FGS?!)

Hunker: I just think it has to be evidence-based. If antenatal classes inprove birth outcomes, then of course we should pursue them. If they make no difference, then we need to prepare women for instrumental births. If hynotherapy improves outcomes, then let's promote it. I just can't believe how such a massive movement, spanning 30 years (?) seems to be drifting on without any proper research behind it's main methods.

I do like Belinda, I think she has big bollocks and I admire that. But I think the NCT is out-dated and hanging on to it's past achievements. I think there is a massive gap for an inclusive and diverse parenting organisation and the NCT is best placed to reinvent itself to become that, but I think it is too scared of losing it's membership revenue stream and too focused on a 1970's model of childbirth campaigning - and while it clings to that then it isn't going to move ahead.

Tiktok, MP has a tendency to get overexcited. I'm only glad she didn't mention the window cleaner.

RGrice - the feedback that I read on here makes me think that many An teachers are not being monitored enough - esp once they are 'off & running" - and attitudes get ingrained and not challenged. One class occasionally is not enough, imho.

I watched/helped a newly qualified AN teacher, and was actually amazed at how little support she was getting. But she was fab

n.b. like a dog btw, not at the thought of the windowcleaner

Great story about the parties, RGRice!

My experience is that it is easy to volunteer and do something with local NCT. One year, dh was wishing there was something NCT-ish that families could do together so we got together with another couple and devised a quiz-cum-treasure hunt, over buggie-friendly terrain, and loads of people came. Was good fun. There might even have been home-baked biscuits donated by a 40-yr-old farmer, morningpaper....

last one - promised link ...

I think the narrator is particularly good? J

Link Found for me by Tracy Anne - who did the voice over ..Belinda