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Duchess Kate Meets Volunteers Who Helped Parents During the Pandemic

Photo credit: Jack Hill/The Times - PA Images
Photo credit: Jack Hill/The Times - PA Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

As she continues her focus on early childhood development, the Duchess of Cambridge spent Tuesday learning about the impact parent-powered initiatives have had during the pandemic.

Duchess Kate spent the morning of September 22 on a video call with experts to learn about the efforts of thousands of parents in the U.K. who use their own experience and time to support other parents and families.

“A huge well done to all of you, I know there’s a big team of you out there in communities across the country,” Kate said during the Zoom call, which she carried out from Kensington Palace.

She continued, “Both William and I hear about how vital these relationships are to families—they’re a real lifeline. So to you and your army of volunteers out there, a huge well done. I, like you, would love to see peer-to-peer support more embedded and celebrated in communities and society as a whole.”

Afterwards, she headed over to London’s Battersea Park to speak with representatives and volunteers from eight different organizations running peer-to-peer support programs that provide families with a range of resources, including practical advice, emotional support, and help navigating public services.

Wearing mauve fitted chinos, a white Ralph Lauren tee, and white sneakers, Kate headed to the park’s Old English Garden to meet individuals from charities including Leeds Dads, Coram, Home-Start UK, and Parents 1st UK.

The duchess heard from parents about the negative impact COVID-19 has had on their ability to receive support during the pandemic and also chatted about how outside spaces, such as the park they had met in, has helped their health and wellbeing.

Mental health issues affect at least 1 in 10 women during pregnancy or early parenthood, and the help from peer supporters can provide valuable help in supporting parents’ emotional wellbeing. A Kensington Palace statement shared with BAZAAR.com adds, “Today’s engagement follows on from The Duchess’s longstanding work around supporting families, and children in their earliest years.“

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