Princess Kate beamed as she arrived at a mother and baby unit in her latest outing today.
The Princess of Wales visited a Mother and Baby Unit at HMP Styal prison to highlight the vital importance of mother-child relationships, even in challenging environments.
As Patron of Action for Children, the Princess’s visit focused on the charity’s work supporting new and expectant mothers who are serving prison sentences or on remand in the North of England.
The unit provides a dedicated space where mothers can maintain strong bonds with their babies whilst receiving specialist support.
Princess Kate visited a mother and baby unit at HMP Styal
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The Mother and Baby Units, operated by Action for Children across three prisons in Northern England, allow prisoners to live in a separate area while receiving support from trained prison staff and family support practitioners.
The programme aims to establish crucial attachment between mothers and babies during the initial months of life, which research shows influences later development.
The initiative also works to address female reoffending rates, which currently stand at 22.3 per cent across England and Wales.
During her visit, the Princess met with staff and former residents to learn about the unit’s support services, including nursery provision and parenting interventions.
Princess Kate appeared to wear her Blaze Milano coat for the outing
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Her Royal Highness toured the on-site nursery facilities where children living at the unit can learn and play.
The Princess also engaged with current prisoners at the Mother and Baby Unit to hear firsthand accounts of how Action for Children’s support is benefiting them and their babies.
Action for Children employs early years practitioners at each facility to ensure babies receive the highest quality care and experience normal activities like walks, shopping trips and bus travel.
The practitioners also arrange overnight stays with family members outside the prison, helping to build and maintain important bonds with the children’s wider support network.
Princess Kate smiled as she stepped out on Tuesday
Reuters
Princess Kate looked beautiful as she spoke with people at the prison
Reuters
These services form part of Action for Children’s broader work across the UK, where they operate hundreds of programmes supporting vulnerable children and families.
The Princess of Wales established The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to early years development.
The Centre aims to create a healthier and more nurturing world through its focus on early childhood development.
Its work centres on increasing awareness about the crucial impact of early childhood, translating scientific advances into practical changes in how society approaches the period from pregnancy to age five.
