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Bosom Buddies was officially launched back in 2019 by Jess Goldie, the family and children’s worker for Kay Street Baptist Church in Rawtenstall, after gaining the breastfeeding peer support qualification with ABM (Association of Breastfeeding Mothers). Jess gained support from local midwives and partnered with local community groups including Mini Me and Sling Library to start the group.
The aim of Bosom Buddies has always been to help and support mums to achieve whatever breastfeeding they want to do, at whatever stage of their breastfeeding journey they are on. Just as Bosom Buddies started to flourish in 2020, Covid hit and the group had to cease meeting.
During lockdown, Jess felt called to become a nurse and as lockdown lifted, she could no longer fulfill both roles, yet was desperate for Bosom Buddies to continue. At the same time, I, Angie McCormack had recently joined Kay Street and completed the ABM breastfeeding peer support course whilst on maternity leave with my second son, passionate to help mums after my own experiences. Jess and I were linked through Kay Street and prayers were answered as the handover began in 2021. Kate Cook, who had also been involved in Bosom Buddies from the start, qualified as a midwife and still regularly visits to help. Another midwife and lecturer, Kerry Smith has recently joined the team with great wisdom. Nicola Barbour and Caerys Hawkins attended as mums for support and have both progressed as peer supporters and gained their practice and experience at Bosom Buddies. Nicola is now employed by NCT and other mums, Jess, Kate and Rachel, who attended Bosom Buddies for breastfeeding support, have also been come volunteers and help in the kitchen, setting up toys, tidying up, baking homemade cakes and much more.
Bosom Buddies is now thriving as we collaborate passionately and effectively with local partners, midwives and community groups. All the building costs, toys, music, drinks and much more are provided by Kay Street and mums kindly and generously donate resources which we clean and ensure are great quality re greatly appreciated. We work with Lancashire Family Hubs who regularly join with Bosom Buddies to offer a free baby massage course to mums and Tropic Skincare who offer free pampers to mums. We also link with other activities at Kay Street including fun charity quiz nights, craft sessions, activities for children such as Mainly Music and the exciting annual Escape Rooms, for which mums go and enjoy the Escape Room in the same building as Bosom Buddies, whilst we as a team watch, supervise and entertain their babies and older siblings (praying they quickly escape!). The Bosom Buddies team came 4th out of 60 in the February fun.
Bosom Buddies therefore currently offers and provides:
· Breastfeeding support and advice as peer supporters and midwives.
· Baby weighing scales.
· Referrals and signposting for further support/advice.
· Toys, fun and activities for older siblings who are welcome to come.
· Fruit and water for toddlers and weaning babies.
· Peer support from other mums and a great opportunity to make new friends.
· A warm, welcoming space to breastfeed, talk and feel listened to.
· Tasty homemade treats for mums.
· Hot and cold drinks.
· Breast pumps (manual and electric) and plenty of other resources such as breast pads, feeding pillows, nipple creams, books and much more for mums to take and have for free for as long as they need.
· Home visits to support mums at home.
· Online support and social media posts.
· Occasional social gatherings.
ALL FOR FREE and by volunteers!
We currently have up to 20 mums, plus their babies and toddlers, attending each week and approximately 80% of mums hear about us through midwives, health visitors, local health professionals and mums they know or meet. We attend events across the North West such as World Breastfeeding in Public Day where we hold stalls and raise awareness. Flyers are also distributed to raise awareness and we have had mums travel up to 20 miles to attend Bosom Buddies and we are keen to help anyone, as well as signpost them to partners and others we know of who can help them further. We are keen to continue developing and to help this we do annual training as ABM members, read books and are applying for funding to get a hospital standard breast pump, a breastfeeding doll and other resources we can use to help and support mums further. We are very grateful for all the contributions of time, resources, skills, finance, knowledge and support from the many involved and all the incredible team members
“Amazing welcoming group! Good information on their social media about returning to work and weaning. Group has toys, cakes and hot drinks aswell as support and advice. Social group so nice to relate to other mums and families. Real sense of community. So important to has these types of groups”
“In the early days when we were struggling with tongue tie the group were there to help with technique to make feeding more comfortable. And 6 months on and every week the team are there to talk through any changes and share their experiences as breastfeeding mothers. But mainly their warm welcome, hot drinks and amazing baked give a great structure to our week that we really rely upon. “
“I was struggling with breastfeeding my second child in 2024. The health visitors recommended Bosom Buddies as a local breastfeeding support group. On my first visit Angie greeted me with the most warm and friendly welcome. She made me feel seen and heard, she spent time listening to my concerns, closely watching my baby to feed and giving me lots of support and reassurances. Angie queries whether my baby had tongue tie and gave me the confidence and encouragement to seek further advice. Lo and behold she was right!
I continued attending the group regularly whilst I was on maternity leave, always leaving feeling refreshed and uplifted by the comfort and shared experiences between Angie and the rest of the group.My breastfeeding journey has ended now but I still occasionally pop in to the group to say hello and keep in touch.Angie and Bosom buddies saved my breastfeeding experience and at times my mental health. I really can’t thank them enough.”
“I was struggling with breastfeeding so I went down to the group and they were really helpful and friendly. I got advice and help from them and other mums which was great. Everyone is lovely and you can chat easily to everyone there. It’s a nice atmosphere and great to meet other mums. Lots of toys for older siblings if they come along and there is also drinks and cake. I always look forward to going.”
“Bosom buddies is a warm and welcoming support group that has really helped me on my postnatal journey and is something I look forward to attending weekly. Volunteers are always on hand to listen and provide advice. The WhatsApp group is also something that has been helpful.I have met some great friends and it’s such a relaxed atmosphere that allows for open conversations with peers where we can share experiences and ideas”
“I attended Bosom Buddies when my first baby was 5 weeks old and struggling to feed with projectile vomiting. The lovely ladies gave me lots of advise regarding position and support I could do to help the reflux and I eventually went on to feed Rosie until she was 23 months old.
I returned to Bosom Buddies when I had my 2nd baby and Poppy was causing discomfort when feeding, they again helped with the latch and getting the right position. I continued to visit Bosom Buddies each week and have been very grateful for the familiar faces each week due to postnatal depression, it made me get out of the house each week and go somewhere I felt safe and supported! Angie has rocked my babies when I have been exhausted, there’s always been a hot drink (in a safety cup) and tasty treat and someone to listen to me when needed.”
“This support group helped me overcome my postnatal anxiety. From the moment I walked in with my baby Angie made me feel so welcome and from then on she has helped me in so many ways. No question about my breastfeeding journey is too much for her. She goes above and beyond for every mother that attends the support group & for the babies/toddlers that come along also. “
“I first attended the group for advice on weaning my toddler off the breast as I was pregnant. I then joined again when my second baby was 3 weeks old and this has become our Friday routine. The people who volunteer and attend there are very welcoming and are like a little family. It is a safe space for us to get support and share our journeys. Some of the volunteers bring homemade treats each week which is an added bonus. Older siblings are also welcome which is really helpful. This group has really helped to normalise some of the difficulties with breastfeeding and definitely made my journey feel more pleasant and possible. “
“Angie & the team of peer volunteers have created a wonderful community of support for breastfeeding mothers. From the early days of feeding with tongue tie and latch issues to support with feeding strikes and eventually weaning advice – Angie is so knowledgeable and kind she has helped me more than she’ll ever know! “
“So I’ve been attending the group every Friday since my oldest (nearly 6) was born! It was just after lock down and I was in need of a little support and have never left since babe number 3.
It’s honestly the most welcoming non judgmental place with like minded people and I always feel so welcome. Advice, support, and a friendly face is always there. I honestly can’t thank Angie in particular enough. Plus the other volunteers. I look forward to every Friday to have a coffee, let of some steam, moan, rant, laugh, chat, gain support for any feeding issues, all whilst my little of plays. I’ve honestly made some life long friends from this group.I wouldn’t know who to talk to about feedings issues, especially as my little one is now 2. I feel no judgment, only support.Angie is so selfless and caring – we all need a lady like her in our life! She’s so dedicated to Bossom Buddies and caring for ladies with their babes.”
“From the moment I walked in to Bosom Buddies, I was welcomed and made to feel at ease straight away. Angie has a wealth of knowledge and is so supportive- helping in any way she can. It is so lovely to get together with Angie and the other breastfeeding mums. Its a very supportive environment “
“I was able to feed my daughter for 2 years when she naturally self weaned due to the support of this group it is the thing I am most proud of in my life. Bosom Buddies offer support through FB and Instagram – They were available every single day, Monday to Sunday and at night to answer all kinds of questions (from why is my baby making this much noise to latch questions to frequency and never judged me for asking) and they made me feel like I mattered, not just my baby and provided a village I otherwise did not have. Angie in particular checked in with me after hard days and was a personal cheerleader in tough times. The Friday support groups they run soon became a place I felt like home at, they provided the most welcoming atmosphere and created a group of kind caring individuals who all support each other from week 1 to 4 years plus. The coffee and cake and most importantly the chat and support they provide us is undoubtedly the highlight of my week. “
“I visited Bosom Buddies when my baby was around 8 weeks old, I was having issues with my baby latching and feeding was painful. Angie invited me to the group and from day 1 I was fully supported and listened to. I have now being going to Bosom Buddies for around a year with my baby and it’s the highlight of my week! Angie even supported me through the ABM Peer Supporter course myself, allowing me to volunteer at Bosom Buddies. She is passionate about helping new mothers/families and always goes out of her way to support. She is so knowledgeable in what she does and takes a big interest in women’s health in general. She’s a star!”
“I had a tough time breastfeeding I felt quite alone and just needed support. I attended Bosom Buddies and from the very first day I felt welcomed and supported by Angie and the entire group. It was such a lovely group, and Angie showed me different breastfeeding techniques. Thank goodness for groups like these!”
