Creating Hello in There Wee One
Take a look at the process behind Hello In There Wee One, a new book designed for parents-to-be
Hello in There Wee One is a new book designed to support Dundee parents-to-be to bond with their baby before birth. It launched at an event in DCA, and will be given to all expecting families in the city.
Part of a partnership project between DCA, Dundee City Council, NHS Tayside Infant Mental Health Team, and University of Dundee, it was created to support parents to communicate and bond with their baby before they are born. Through illustrations, questions, stories, songs and prompts, the book encourages parents-to be to imagine and think about their growing baby, helping them to prepare for their new arrival and leading to stronger relationships after birth.
Published
Share on Socials
The book was designed with local families, who worked with Dundee artist Louise Kirby to create a book bespoke to the city.
Vicky Armstrong, DCA Art Therapist, organised creative sessions at Dundee International Women's Centre, Home Start Dundee, and Coldside family group, where families were encouraged to share their ideas of what would have encouraged them to talk to their bump during pregnancy. They also got creative and made artwork inspired by nature and featuring Dundee landmarks.
From these sessions and the advice of professionals across Midwifery, Health Visiting, Family Nurse Practitioners, Infant Mental Health, Speech and Language Therapists, Developmental Psychologists and Social Work teams, the content of the book was created. Louise then developed the families artwork to create the books colourful look, with advice given by author and illustrator Natalie Russell and the final book design brought together by graphic designer Gavin Reid.
I would have loved to get a book like this when I was pregnant, so I’m happy that we were able to help make this happen for other mums and I just enjoyed the chance to do some art myself too.Participating parent
Hello In There Wee One was launched at an event at DCA, which brought together project partners, family participants, artists and those involved in providing the book to families.
Everyone was welcomed by our director, Beth Bate, who shared why this work is so important for DCA, and how much we value this partnership. Then Sean Nolan, Lead Clinician from NHS Tayside Infant Mental Health, shared more about the process of creating the book, from the research involved to working with families to create the content and illustrations. Finally Lesley Sharkey, Director of Midwifery at NHS Tayside, talked more about how the book will be shared with families and the benefits for them.
Guests were given a first look at the book and took part in creative activities.
This project is an incredible demonstration of the ways art and culture can support health, wellbeing and social care outcomes, through working in partnership with some of our most important services and institutions. I’m so proud that this beautiful book will be made available to all expecting families in our city.Beth Bate DCA Director
This project was funded by the United Nations Children’s Rights Commission through CORRA. It brought together a collaboration of partners from NHS Tayside, Dundee City Council, Dundee Contemporary Arts and University of Dundee.
