Sadiq Khan MP recently paid a visit to the South Asian Weaning Group which provides vital post-natal services to new South Asian mothers in Tooting.   

Run by health visitors at Tooting Health Clinic, it succesfully reaches South Asian mothers who are often missed by the mainstream post-natal services offered to the all first time mothers in Wandsworth. 
The group holds sessions once a month on various topics related to weaning and child development, with simultaneous translation support offered in major Asian languages to encourage maximum participation.

Sadiq said, “It is a great scheme. The institution has benefited scores of mothers in the past 4 years and has enabled the health services to reach our diverse community, promoting equality of access. It is a great scheme, involving as many people as possible, and the benefits that it brings to our society in Wandsworth are obvious.”

On his visit Sadiq spoke with a large number of mothers who have participated in and benefited from the group over the past year. He said, “the support for the group is overwhelming.  People talked about how the group changed their lives and made them feel a more respected and equal part of Wandsworth’s community. It was striking just how much this means to them.”

Sadly this popular project is under threat, with speculation that Wandsworth PCT may be forced to withdraw funding for it.  The estimated cost to keep the project running at the moment amounts to about £4000 per year, and there are fears that without this, the initiative would grind to a halt.

Sadiq said, “This project brings so much to the community that and costs are outweighed by the benefits.  I have a good working relationship with both the Chair and the Chief Executive of Wandsworth PCT and will be reminding them of how integral this group is to the health services in Wandsworth.  I am confident that we can find the money to keep the group afloat”.