What we do

Noah’s Star is a charity that supports families of premature and sick babies.

of parents said a neonatal stay affected their mental health

babies in the UK need neonatal care

babies every year are cared for in neonatal units in the UK

of volunteer support for families in neonatal units

Noah’s Star provides support to families of premature and sick babies across the West Midlands

Based on our funding, these services may change. However, we always try and provide support where we can.

Our support includes;

  • Mentoring for Siblings
  • Supervised play sessions for siblings on a Neonatal Unit or within a hospital setting
  • Counselling for parents of premature and sick babies
  • Peer support for parents of premature and sick babies
  • Support in the Community – Stay and Play groups including forest school, soft play, and baby massage
  • Donations of books, sibling support bags and hand/foot ink kits

 

Bliss have highlighted that 80% of parents who experience neonatal care have reported a negative impact on mental health as a direct result. We know it is common for NICU parents to experience symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following neonatal care and that is when we’re not in the midst of a global pandemic.

We provide a safe place for Siblings

Noah’s Star provides a safe and fun place for siblings of sick and premature babies to play, as well as reassurance to parents, allowing them to spend the time required with their premature newborn.
Our sibling support service is at the very core of what we do here at Noah’s Star. It has been specifically set up for the brothers and sisters of babies needing neonatal care. 

Peer Support

Noah’s Star understands that Peer support can make a huge difference to families who spend time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or hospital. It gives parents the opportunity to talk about their feelings and share their journey with someone that understands. We have a team of trained peer volunteers who have prior experience. They use their lived experience to provide support to other parents. Our peer support volunteers understand the challenges of having a premature and sick baby or child and can provide empathic support in person and via the telephone.

Counselling

Having a baby on the NICU can be a very emotional and challenging time and we are here for parents.

We believe that a layered level of support should be available to parents on the NICU. It has been estimated that 30% of NICU parents experience a diagnosable mental disorder during the first postpartum year. Parents with infants in NICUs are well known to be at increased risk for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Our team can provide between 6-12 fully funded online counselling sessions All our counsellors are fully qualified and members of BACP with experience of supporting families.

Impact

Amazing service and charity.

After having a 2 month premature baby and suffering with mild PTSD following a life threatening and very traumatic birth, Noah Star arranged Counselling sessions for me, free of charge. These were such a fantastic help to make sense of everything that I’d gone through and helped me focus on all the positives in my life.

The charity provides so much support to families of premature children, in so many ways. I am very thankful of the help I received in a challenging time of my life.

Thank you to everyone at Noahs Star once again, I will always be very grateful.

Leo has loved being involved in such an inclusive group. The staff are lovely and really willing to help and support you and go above and beyond to book you on a place at group sessions. Many many thanks for your support and kindness

Noah’s Star has been a huge support to our family. They have provided us with some lovely family events, including forest schools which can be hard to access with my son. Each time we have enjoyed fun and engaging activities and given us a chance to meet other families. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
Noah’s Star has been amazing for our 4-year-old during our time on the NICU, she loves the staff, and it really takes the pressure of entertaining a sibling at your new-borns bedside. I can’t recommend or praise the charity and volunteers enough. A huge thank you to you all.
My little one was only on the NICU for 48 hours, but your kindness and help was lovely. To the lady who took my first picture of me with my baby to the creche for another child used for an hour. Thank you

About Us

Passionate and driven to support individuals and families of premature babies, with three core services. Support Groups, Volunteer Led Support Service & Training & Consultancy.

Learn More

Get Family Support

We offer families one of the very first organised sibling support services in the UK. A much-needed service backed up by medical research & evidence.

Get Support

Mental Health Training

We provide award winning mental health training and consultancy. Helping to encourage a greater understanding of
mental health.

Get Training