Angus cultural sites now officially breastfeeding friendly

Angus's sports centres, museums, libraries and venues now officially support breastfeeding mothers after being given membership of a national scheme.
Mark Dowie
By Mark Dowie
Published 16th Jun 2022, 15:00 BST
All of ANGUSalive’s premises including sports centres, museums and libraries are now officially breastfeeding friendly. (Andy Thompson Photography)All of ANGUSalive’s premises including sports centres, museums and libraries are now officially breastfeeding friendly. (Andy Thompson Photography)
All of ANGUSalive’s premises including sports centres, museums and libraries are now officially breastfeeding friendly. (Andy Thompson Photography)

ANGUSalive, the trust for culture, sport and leisure in Angus, is now a member of Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland, a Scottish Government-supported scheme implemented by NHS Tayside.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of the Breastfeeding Act, ensure that organisations are aware of their responsibilities and provide mothers with positive experiences of breastfeeding when out and about.

To join the scheme, employees were trained to provide the right support and are aware of the legislation in place to protect breastfeeding mums. Coinciding with Scottish Breastfeeding Week, which runs until June 19, employees will be able to support mothers so that they feel confident to feed their children at ANGUSalive sites.

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This training will also become part of the induction programme when new employees join the organisation.

The new certification adds ANGUSalive’s sites to a local database of premises that are participating in the national award. A mother will never be asked to move, cover up or stop feeding at any of these registered sites, and if a member of the public asks them to do so, they will be informed of the Breastfeeding Friendly legislation.

Laura Stewart, ANGUSalive’s library operations lead, said: “We would never turn away a breastfeeding mum from our sites, however there has never been anything official in place to say that it is welcomed.

“It’s important to us that this nationally recognised scheme is available in all of the charity’s sites across Angus. The inclusion of these sites increases a mother’s options regardless of where they are based in Angus.”

Stacie Cairney, Breast Buddies co-ordinator with Voluntary Action Angus said: “We support hundreds of families across Angus and any barriers they might be facing. Breastfeeding in public is, sadly, often a concern for them.

“The Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme means mothers will see visible displays of support for them to feed in public, and hopefully allow them to feed with confidence knowing they won't face any adversity whilst feeding their baby.”

Veronica Patullo, Project Officer, Maternal & Infant Nutrition with NHS Tayside added: “We are delighted that all ANGUSalive premises have signed up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme. This ensures all families throughout Tayside and beyond are supported to breastfeed when out and about in Angus, enabling them to feel confident and supported to do so. For more information or to sign up to the scheme please contact [email protected]”

To find out more about ANGUSalive venues, services and activities visit www.angusalive.scot​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Related topics:AngusScottish GovernmentNHS Tayside