Bump Club is our monthly evening group especially for parents-to-be. 

These sessions are for you to meet other expectant parents in the Didcot area, to build support networks, and get ready for life with your new baby.

Becoming a parent is the most wonderful, overwhelming, rewarding, hardest rollercoaster ride of many of our lives. Nothing can truly prepare you for it and your journey will be unique, but we aim to help you get off to a confident and positive start with your little one. We will give you honest, evidence-based, non-judgemental information about what to expect in the early weeks with a new baby. We hope you will feel empowered and supported to make informed choices that feel right for your family. 

This is not a class! The sessions are held in a relaxed and informal format. Grab a hot drink and a place at cafe style tables when you arrive.  Once everyone is settled in we have a short group discussion (participate as much as you like, or just listen in) followed by plenty of time to chat to other attendees and ask the facilitators ad hoc questions.

We also have a selection of baby carriers you can take a look at, see demoed, or try on during the session, and a lending library of carefully chosen books about birth, feeding and parenthood. You can also find lots of useful online resources via our "Padlet".

You will receive a little goodie/info bag to take home and the option to join a Bump Clubbers WhatsApp group.

NOTE: We concentrate on the baby bit. If you would like to attend birth preparation classes, there are free online classes offered by NCT in partnership with Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (see https://www.nct.org.uk/ouh-antenatal for more information). 

We touch on information about feeding choices in some of the topics, but also recommend Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support's free monthly 'Preparing to Breastfeed' Zoom workshop.

FAQs about Bump Club

Do I need to book?

Yes, spaces can be booked via Eventbrite, book one space per family.

How much does it cost?

We ask that you make a voluntary donation of whatever you feel from £5 to £20 per family.

There is no obligation to make any donation, especially if this would prevent you from coming (just select the "free ticket" option when booking).

Larger donations are greatly appreciated if you would like to "pay-it-forward" and help fund future sessions.

We are currently supported by The Didcot Powerhouse Fund and aim to raise most of our funding from grants, but this is an ongoing challenge and your donations make a vital contribution to us being able to run the group.

When can I start coming?

We suggest joining from around 24 weeks-ish of your pregnancy to fit in 4 sessions. We cycle around 4 different discussion topics so this means you should get a chance to hear them all, as well as having time to get to know other families attending. However it's all quite flexible - you join at any point and can attend as many or few sessions as you would like to.

Can my partner/mum/friend come too?

Yes. Partners, or any other family member or friend who will be supporting you, are very welcome (attending solo is also fine and not at all unusual too!)

Can I come if it's not my first baby?

Yes! The group is open to all parents and it's great if you can share your experiences with others.

Where are the sessions?

Royal Scot House (the SOHA building) opposite the train station - note that the entrance is at the rear of the building from Lydalls Road.