Exhibition Launch: Monday 20th May from 6:30pm
Taliesen Arts Centre Swansea
Find out moreThe stories behind the gift of human milk
Immersive art exhibition launching Monday 20th May in Swansea
We are excited to announce the launch of Connecting Hearts – a collaboration between the HMF, Swansea University and artist Leanne Pearce. Through a series of beautiful paintings & audio, the incredible stories behind those involved in receiving, donating and supporting human milk banking are told, bringing to life the profound impact that milk donation can have for families, as a beacon of hope for those affected by infant prematurity, baby loss, maternal cancer and more. Each painting sheds light on a new perspective, connecting us with the kindness and shared humanity that underpins milk banking services. The exhibition launches at the Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea on 20th May, following which it will be coming to venues across the country. Check back here to see where it goes next! We are grateful to HEFCW Research Wales Innovation Funding and UKRI for supporting this event and painting series.
Hearts in Wales
The Hearts Milk Bank hub - Swansea
In partnership with Swansea University and Swansea Bay University Health Board, our first donor milk hub in Wales opened in January 2022. The hub, located in Swansea’s Singleton hospital, has enabled hundreds more families in Wales to receive and donate human milk, and the research evaluation of its impact is the start of an exciting innovation in perinatal health for women across Wales and beyond. The hub is facilitated by Professor Amy Brown, director for the centre of Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation (LIFT) at Swansea University who has been instrumental in its successful growth to date. Since the hub was opened over 1000 litres of milk has been donated, helping thousands of tiny babies in neonatal intensive care. The hub has also supported families in the community, some of whom feature in the Connecting Hearts exhibition.
Blood Bikes Wales
We could not deliver this life-saving service without the help of the SERV ‘Blood Biker’ volunteers, who are out on the roads every day ensuring that the milk gets to the babies who need it, in hospital and at home. Blood Bikes Wales is a 100% volunteer charity based in Wales, providing a completely free courier service delivering blood samples, plasma, donor human milk, documents and other items all over Wales. Alongside the Hearts Milk Bank, they work with six NHS trusts in Wales: Swansea Bay University Health Board (Swansea) Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (Merthyr Tydfil, Llantrisant) Hywel Dda (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire) Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (Newport, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (Wrexham and Bangor) and Powys Teaching Health Board (Ceredigion, Newport, Swansea).
Sources of support
Please find below information for support with any of the issues raised in this exhibition.
Mind
mind.org.uk InfoLine: 0300 123 3393
The Mind InfoLine can help you find specialist services in your area.
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 (free from any phone).
Shout
For immediate support text SHOUT to 85258 to chat by text to a trained and supervised volunteer. Free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines: www.helplines.org/helplines
Mummy’s Star
Dedicated to women and birthing people diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth.
Bliss
https://www.bliss.org.uk/parents/coping-with-loss
Email: hello@bliss.org.uk
SANDS
Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
0808 164 3332
Lullaby Trust
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/bereavement-support/
Email: support@lullabytrust.org.uk
0808 802 6868
National Breastfeeding Helpline
Breastfeeding support and information available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
0300 100 0212
Friends of the HMF
We need your help to continue expanding our service to make human milk available to every baby who could benefit. One of the best ways that you can support us is to become a Friend of the HMF. In doing so you will be having a direct impact on the lives of babies and we will keep you regularly updated with how your generosity is making a difference.
FIND OUT MOREVolunteering
HMF is an exciting place to volunteer and we are always looking for people to give a helping hand in the work of our charity. If you have some spare time and would like to get involved and gain useful skills please take a look at our volunteers page.
VOLUNTEERBecome a milk donor
If you have milk that is surplus to your own baby’s needs and would like to become a milk donor, please contact your closest milk bank by checking the list at www.ukamb.org/milk-banks/. If your baby is already older than six months, please contact the Hearts Milk Bank team in the first instance, who will help you through the process.
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