MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN SUFFOLK

In Suffolk, our focus is on positively impacting the health and wellbeing of expectant parents and their unborn children. Through collaborative efforts, we’re introducing the #DRYMESTER initiative to local communities. This initiative aims to educate individuals who are pregnant or planning pregnancy about the risks associated with alcohol consumption during gestation.

Consuming alcohol while pregnant can have severe consequences on the developing baby’s brain and body, leading to a range of lifelong disabilities known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This umbrella term encompasses more than 400 conditions, including physical, mental, behavioral, and learning difficulties.

A prevalence study in Greater Manchester revealed that FASD could affect up to 3.6% of children, translating to approximately 247 babies born annually in Suffolk. FASD is entirely preventable, and by raising awareness, we aim to mitigate alcohol-related harm to unborn babies.

Recent research indicates that around 41% of pregnant women in the UK may consume alcohol, often due to conflicting advice passed down through generations. Our campaign is rooted in expert guidance, following the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officers: abstaining from alcohol entirely during pregnancy or when planning a pregnancy is the safest approach to minimise risks to the baby.

We understand that many pregnancies are unplanned. Therefore, our campaign stresses the importance of stopping alcohol consumption as soon as a woman discovers she is pregnant. We also provide healthcare professionals working with expectant parents with valuable tools to facilitate discussions and reinforce the message that there is NO SAFE TIME and NO SAFE AMOUNT of alcohol during pregnancy.

Join us in raising awareness to reduce risks to babies and support healthier pregnancies.

In Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact on the wellbeing of parents-to-be and their unborn children. Proudly collaborating, we’re introducing the #DRYMESTER conversation to our local communities to ensure those who could be pregnant or planning a pregnancy understand the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the developing baby’s brain and body, resulting in various lifelong disabilities grouped as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This umbrella term encompasses over 400 known conditions, ranging from physical and mental to behavioural and learning difficulties.

A prevalence study conducted in Greater Manchester revealed that FASD might affect up to 3.6% of children, equivalent to 405 babies born annually in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. FASD is entirely preventable, so through raising awareness, we hope to reduce alcohol harm to unborn babies.

Recent studies suggest that approximately 41% of pregnant women in the UK may consume alcohol, leading to conflicting advice passed down through generations. Our campaign is based on expert advice, the Chief Medical Officers guidance: If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.

We recognise that many pregnancies are unplanned, so our campaign emphasises the importance of stopping alcohol consumption at the earliest opportunity when a woman discovers she’s pregnant and equipping healthcare professionals working with parents-to-be have helpful tools to guide their conversations and reinforce that there’s NO SAFE TIME, NO SAFE AMOUNT.

View valuable tips and advice here and join us in spreading awareness to minimise risks to babies.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new podcast, “FASD: A guide for Speech & Language Therapists.” This podcast aims to equip and empower Speech and Language Therapists, both learning and qualified, with the knowledge and tools to identify and address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in children. By raising awareness and improving recognition of FASD, we can help reduce cases of this preventable disorder and provide better support to affected individuals and their families.

Listen here:

Watch the video edition here:

Understanding FASD
FASD is a brain-based disorder caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. It affects millions of people in the UK, yet it remains chronically mis- or under-diagnosed. What sets FASD apart is that it can manifest in more than 400 co-occurring conditions throughout the body and across the lifespan. By delving into the language and communication aspects associated with FASD, this podcast provides valuable insights to help Speech and Language Therapists recognise the disorder’s various presentations. Find out more about FASD here.

The Role of Speech & Language Therapists
For most children with FASD, speech, language, and communication needs are prevalent, making Speech and Language Therapists crucial in identifying and supporting them. As the first point of contact for many families, Speech and Language Therapists play a vital role in ensuring early intervention and appropriate referrals to the multidisciplinary team. This podcast equips therapists with the knowledge to navigate the clinical presentation of FASD and understand the far-reaching impact on the lives of affected individuals and their families.

Expert Guests
The podcast features insightful conversations with leading professionals in the field, including Speech & Language Therapists Rachel Jackson and Morag Burns, who share their expertise and experiences in working with individuals with FASD. We are also joined by Sandy Butcher, the Chief Executive of the National Organisation for FASD, providing a comprehensive understanding of the disorder and its implications.

While the podcast primarily caters to Speech and Language Therapists, it also offers immense value for parents, carers, and educators of individuals with FASD.

Join us in this crucial conversation
To further enhance your knowledge on FASD and support services, we have included valuable resources and links below. These range from educational videos and guidance to organisations dedicated to FASD research, support, and training. We encourage you to explore these resources and extend your understanding beyond the podcast.

• NICE Quality Standard https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs204
• Me & My FASD https://fasd.me/
• National Organisation for FASD https://nationalfasd.org.uk/
• FASD Local Alliance https://fasd-uk.net/
• Fetal Alcohol Advisory Support & Training Team (FAAST) at Edinburgh University https://www.faast.ed.ac.uk/
• FASD Greater Manchester https://fasdgreatermanchester.co.uk/
• Greater Manchester FASD Network https://www.10gm.org.uk/fasd.html
• Primary Care podcast with Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Raja Mukherjee, Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children (focus on FASD) – https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-w4nts-12ca7ca

Approximately 41% of pregnant women are estimated to consume alcohol during pregnancy in the UK. Advice around drinking alcohol during pregnancy has been conflicting over the years and is usually passed along generations so there are many mixed messages about whether or not its safe.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can affect how the baby’s brain and body develops which can lead to a range of lifelong disabilities. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the term used to describe the range of lifelong disabilities and includes over 400 known conditions that can include physical, mental, behavioural and learning difficulties.

A recent prevalence study carried out in Greater Manchester found that FASD may affect up to 3.6% of children.1 Based on recent birth statistics, that’s the equivalent of 1,202 babies born in Hertfordshire and Essex each year.

Essex County Council and Hertfordshire County Council are proud to partner and join Greater Manchester to introduce the #DRYMESTER conversation and help reduce the likelihood of cases of FASD by ensuring those who could be pregnant or planning a pregnancy know the expert advice: If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.

Since many pregnancies are not planned, some women may drink alcohol before they realise they are having a baby. If you are in this position, the best thing you can do for your baby is to stop at the earliest opportunity and avoid alcohol for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Keep an eye out on our social channels for more information, tips and advice and help us spread the word to keep risks to babies to a minimum and remember, there’s NO SAFE TIME, NO SAFE AMOUNT.

Follow us:
Essex County Council – Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Hertfordshire County Council – Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34590329/

This month, we’re proud to be launching a new initiative to workplaces across Greater Manchester, to help lead the way in supporting healthy pregnancies.

Our award winning #DRYMESTER campaign, commissioned by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, will be extended to workplaces to raise awareness of the impacts of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, specifically Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and give businesses the guidance and tools they need to help support parents-to-be.

FASD is a condition with lifelong cognitive, emotional, behavioural and physical challenges. Recent prevalence research shows that FASD may affect up to 3.6% of children in Greater Manchester – that’s the equivalent of 1,238 children born each year.

There are many mixed messages relating to the risks of alcohol use in pregnancy, so this new phase of the #DRYMESTER campaign encourages workplaces to start the conversation, whether it’s with employees, customers, family or friends, and spread the word. The Chief Medical Officers’ guidance is that if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.

We’ve produced a range of downloadable resources to help introduce the #DRYMESTER conversation to workplaces, including posters, intranet and social graphics, a conversation guide and even a prepared learning session for employees. These are completely funded, so come at no cost to businesses.

With 41% of pregnancies in the UK alcohol-exposed, we’re asking for the help of Manchester businesses to reduce the likelihood of cases of FASD, by adding healthy pregnancies to their agenda. Whether that’s holding a #DRYMESTER lunch and learn session in the office, or simply posting a couple of social assets, it all helps us get one step closer to reducing the likelihood of children being born with the condition – awareness is the greatest agent for change.

For more information and to download the resources for use in your workplace, click here.

It’s time for change — it’s time to talk #DRYMESTER.

We are proud to announce that #DRYMESTER has been shortlisted for the CIM Marketing Excellence Awards in the category of Best not-for-profit/charity/social marketing campaign!

The award recognises marketing success in the pursuit of growth when lobbying, fundraising, expanding, informing or positively changing attitudes and behaviours. Inspiring and supporting Mums-to-be and their families to go alcohol free before and during pregnancy, has remained at the heart of the #DRYMESTER campaign since it’s launch, together with an intention to highlight the impact of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

We would like to extend our thanks to the whole #DRYMESTER community for their continued support, from the campaign’s partners to everyone who has signed up to access the resources, tips and advice on how to go alcohol free, or support a loved one through pregnancy.

The National Awards will be held on 2nd April 2020 in London!