Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PAIRS)
Who Are We?
We are a small, friendly team who specialise in working with babies and their parents. We can work with you from your home or from the Hounslow Family Hubs. Our work is to support you and your baby and strengthen that bond.
What We Do - We will:
- greet you and make you feel welcome at our groups,
- encourage you to notice and observe your baby and follow their lead,
- help you to make friends and meet other parents with babies... we know it takes a village to raise a baby,
- help you support your baby’s development through
- play with sensory toys,
- using nurturing touch,
- or through songs and rhyme time,
- wonder together with you about what your baby might be thinking and feeling.
Why Do We Do It?
Scientific evidence tells us that the first 1001 days of your baby’s life (from pregnancy to the age of 2) are very important. It is important for a baby’s long term, mental and physical health and wellbeing.
We know what a challenging time this can be, how much your baby needs from you to sleeplessness and isolation. Spending quality time together is so important for you and your baby. Like all relationships, it can take time and effort.
PAIRS Services:
- Baby Massage: a five-week group course to learn more about how you can help your baby feel more relaxed. This is open to any parent with a baby under 6 months living in the borough.
- Baby Talk and Play: a five-week course on play and developing your baby's early language skills. This is open to any parent with a baby aged 6-12 months living in the borough.
- Dad's Play: a drop in group for male carers and their babies or toddlers to have fun and play together. This group is for babies and children under 3.
- Baby TLC: a group for parents and babies that focuses on connecting through play and making friends. This is by referral only and is for babies from new-born to crawling.
- Toddler TLC: a closed group for parents and toddlers where you can look at, think about and be with your child. This group is by referral only and is for toddlers aged 1-2 years.
- Video Interaction Guidance (VIG): a strength based, short intervention. This helps parents to notice the positive interactions between them and their baby or toddler. By referral only.
- Parent Infant Psychotherapy (PIP): this is a longer-term intervention which aims to help make parenthood feel easier and more enjoyable. Supporting you and your baby to be together and thrive. By referral only.
What Do You Need to Know
Everything we offer is free of charge and accessed through your local Family Hub. You can ask your midwife or health visitor about our PAIRS work, pop into a Family Hub, or even refer yourself to our services.
How Can I Find Out More?
Our team is here to listen to you and support you to find the services that are right for you and your baby. You can contact PAIRS staff via email on:
familyhub@hounslow.gov.uk