A scheme initiated by the Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust and designed to help young mothers in Winchester and the surrounding area is being officially launched next week with an open day.

"Mums" is aimed at supporting and advising women under the age of 25 before and after the birth of their child. Young mothers are invited to attend a weekly Monday meeting at the Carroll Youth Centre, where ante and post natal checks are offered as well as advice on pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.

Those who attend are given the opportunity to hear from agencies like the St John Ambulance, on topics ranging from first aid and baby resuscitation to nutrition, how to budget and advice on other issues like housing.

The meeting is intended to provide young women with a safe place to talk in confidence and to encourage them to mix outside the Monday group to gain support from each other.

A free shuttle bus is generously provided by the Centre to enable as many women as possible to take advantage of this new initiative. Lunch is also provided during the session, which takes place every Monday, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

The open day on December 2nd is a chance to highlight the scheme, which is being undertaken by a number of GP surgeries in and around Winchester.

It's being held at the Carroll Youth Centre, Somers Close, Stanmore from 10.30am to 1.30pm and will be opened by Winchester's deputy mayor, Councillor Jean Hammerton, who is also a non-executive director for the Mid Hampshire PCT.

For more information about the group, contact Emma Hayward on 01962 877878 or Doreen Joseph on 07786 511895