Each year AiMH and the Regional Hubs organise a variety of events for members and non-members. They range from national and regional conferences to local events organised by individual Hubs.
The events address a wide range of interests relevant to the early years and infant mental health provision, and include seminars, clinical workshops and case discussions.
If you know of events relevant to infant mental health, that are not included here, please tell us and other members about it directly in the IMH Events forum.
1001 days: a feature documentary about motherhood
A group of extraordinary women fight to transform the lives of mothers and new babies in their beloved township.
As the country grapples with systemic racism and inequality, the fearless and charismatic Thandiwe, Zanele and Khosi doggedly support new mothers, waging a daily battle against poverty, domestic abuse and addiction. Their aim: to help new mothers during the first 1001 days of their babies’ lives, which are the most critical time in any human’s life. And to transform the babies lives and opportunities, as well as those of generations to come.
To find out more and back the campaign visit the Kickstarter page: tinyurl.com/4z4rm84b
Early Years Health Development Review
The early years review – The best start for life: a vision for the 1,001 critical days – has been led by Early Years Health Adviser Andrea Leadsom MP and sets out a vision for best practice across the health system to ensure babies and children can get the best possible start. It was great to see our President, Professor Jane Barlow attend the launch and be a key speaker delivering a presentation on why the 1001 critical days are so critically important.
Please click on the link for the full recording of the launch. Jane’s presentation is 15 minutes into the video. Click here
AiMH UK Forthcoming events
Bristol, Somerset & Gloucestershire West Hub Infant mental Health Hub Event
Building a local early years/infant mental health network
Monday 10 May 2021, 10.00-12.00, Online
Scotland Hub Event – Infant Mental Health Week Monday 7 June – details TBC
AiMH UK National Conference – Friday 19th November 2021 – details TBC
‘Babies & Young Children under Lockdown: Attunement and Adaptation’
On 5th March the AiMH UK London Region Hub welcomed 47 participants to its second online event, ‘Babies & Young Children under Lockdown: Attunement and Adaptation. The event was a welcome opportunity for London region infant mental health practitioners to connect with each other. Outgoing London Region Hub lead Sara Rance reviews the event below and invites suggested themes for future hub events from AiMH UK London Hub members.
Engaging Fathers & Working during COVID
Friday 22 January 2021 9.30-12.00
Dr Cerith Waters (Senior Lecturer, Clinical Lead for perinatal services, Cardiff; accredited VIG practitioner) and Rachel Pardoe (Child Psychotherapist, VIG supervisor).
The importance of including fathers in interventions that address emerging problems in the parent-infant relationship: a VIG case example
This online event went very well – over 70 practitioners booked from all over the UK – several working in community services for Dads. Many positive comments in the Zoom Chat and active verbal discussion.
Dr. Cerith Waters shared emotionally moving and effective therapeutic work, using VIG. It was clearly an inspiration for many who attended.
Cerith also presented research data on Fathers mental health during the perinatal period, and he shared the BPS Guidance on Working remotely with parents and infants during pregnancy and postpartum.
Handouts will be emailed to all attendees. Logged in AiMH members can see more information here in the AiMH UK-wide Forum. Please add your comments (whether or not you attended the event).
Practice on the Front Line
Friday 26th February 9.30 am – 1pm. Organised by Scotland’s Infant Mental Health Hub, within AiMH UK.
Watch Infant Sleep Lecture and read Dilys Daws’ new book on Infant Sleep Problems
Dilys Daws with Sarah Sutton’s ‘Parent Infant Psychotherapy for Sleep Problems’ (Routledge 2020) is a wonderful addition to the literature on the subject of infant sleep. This book includes infancy research, a psychoanalytic perspective on infant sleep problems and case studies.
A lecture on ‘What is Normal Infant Sleep? A view from Anthropology’ was given on 11th Nov 2020 by Professor Helen Ball of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre and it is still accessible on YouTube, together with the Q & A.
You can find everything we do on our website, the Baby Sleep info Source where we have resources for parents and healthcare professionals, including downloadable information sheets and an infantsleep app. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Mentalising in the time of COVID‑19:restoring our ability to think about babies
AiMH UK National Conference + IMH Awards.
Friday, 27 November 2020, 10.00-13.00 (online via Zoom)
Speakers: Professor Peter Fonagy, Professor Jane Barlow, Dr. Dana Shai and Tessa Baradon.
The conference provided opportunities to reflect on the traumatising effects of the recent COVID-19 pandemic on parents and infants, and the importance of a mentalising stance to enable families to recover.
If you missed it, we hope to see you at the next AiMH conference, or at one of the Hub events – see the Hub pages.
Launch Event for the Eastern Region Hub for Virtual Schools for Children in Care and Post Looked After
Promoting the education of all children in care and post looked after.
Launch date to be confirmed.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.