To many members this is the most important role of NNICUPS. A roster of suitable, willing volunteers is kept in the Unit. The staff offer this service to new parents and ask a "parent" with a similar experience to talk to them. Parent volunteers have no formal training. These parents are there to listen as caring / supportive parents only.

This booklet was one of NNICUPS first priorities and was written and published in 1994 by members of NNICUPS and that staff at the Unit. It was funded by the Wentworth Area Health Service.
The "Parents' Booklet" was updated in 2004 and funded by Mr Colin Parras, staff and patrons of the Peachtree Inn Hotel, Penrith and NNICUPS.

Funds have been raised to provide practical support to parents and some equipment for the Unit.

Initial funds were used to buy six electric breast pumps. These are lent to mothers to take home until the baby is able to be breastfed. It's often the only contribution a mother feels she can make. These are constantly in use and have been replaced over the years.

Parents' sitting and breastfeeding rooms have been furnished by NNICUPS. TVs, videos and toys for siblings, microwaves and double beds have all helped to make the parents' area a little more like home, making this traumatic experience a little more bareable.

These are just some of the many practical ways NNICUPS has been able to assist. Help us continue this work by purchasing your Entertainment book today.

Entertainment Books

www.entertainmentbook.com.au

On sale now!

Buy an Entertainment book and 20% of the proceeds will go directly to NNICUPS to assist with their fund raising for equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to care for premature babies born at the Nepean Hospital. Choose from the ' Sydney & North Sydney' book or the 'Parramatta' book which also incorporates the Penrith and Blue Mountains area. Pay via credit card or cash to secure your book and enjoy the benefits of the many deals on offer.

The entertainment book is a local restaurant and activity guide providing hundreds of 25% to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from the finest restaurants, cafés, attractions, theatres and accommodation in your area.

For more details of what is in the book, pricing, delivery information and how to order, check out the entertainment book website.

Don't miss out!

Books on sale until the end of September with vouchers valid until the 1st July 2011. Place your order now and support the many babies cared for every day in the Nepean Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The urgent need for assisted accommodation for families from afar was recognised as one of NNICUPS' priorities.

In 1993, McDonalds was approached by NNICUPS to build a Ronald McDonald House, however, as cancer patients were also in need this faculty it did not fall within their criteria.

Our McDonalds contact, John Tourish, was president of the the Penrith Rotary Club at that time and suggested they take up the cause. After 9 years of fundraising and meeting the demands of building a residential facility on Gonvernment land a dream has finally become reality.

Hope Cottage has been a fully functional residential facility since May 2005. With the help of many contractors, Hope Cottage, a $1.4m project was built for just over &$900,000.

Hope Cottage

Chairman of The Cottage Trust, Frank Portelli said "we are indebted to these organisations for sharing our vision and providing us with skills and materials to make our dream a reality. To the many groups and individuals who have donated money to the fund, we also thank you for without your contributions we would not have completed the project.

NNICUPS is proud to introduce the start of its monthly playgroup!

Held on the 1st thursday of each month from 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Kingswood Anglican Church, corner of Bringelly Road and Derby Street, Kingswood. The playgroup will be commencing on thursday the 5th August 2010, in accordance with NNICUPS meetings.

We would ask that each family will pay $2.00 per session, with monies going toward tea, coffee, craft supplies etc

This playgroup welcomes Premmies, sick and milestone delayed children that need a little more TLC. Their siblings are also welcome.

Playgroup Contacts
Co-ordinator - Belinda Benitez - Email: belinda.day.benitez@gmail.com ; Ph: 0418 250 007
Vice Co-ordinator – Gabrielle Shorten - Email gabrielleshorten@y7mail.com ; Ph: 0407 066 814
Secretary – Tracey Bencetti - Email tmbencetti@yahoo.com.au ; Ph: 0466 545 974
Treasurer – Louisa Stalling - Email: louisastalling@yahoo.com.au ; Ph: 0247 213 514

* Please note that for insurance purposes all families wanting to attend this playgroup need join the Playgroup Association of NSW. There is a mandatory annual joining fee payable to the Playgroup Association of NSW but note this will cover you for not only the NNICUPS playgroup but for all playgroups run under the Playgroup Association of NSW banner. For more information please visit their website www.playgroupaustralia.com.au or call 1800 171 882 or email them at admin@playgroupnsw.com.au.

It is a credit to the staff of Nepean's NICU, particularly Dr. Lyn Downe and Nurse Unit Manager - Sister Irene Wong, and the parents who have "graduated" from the Unit, that NNICUPS is a thriving, local charity.

NNICUPS is one of the few neonatal support groups in Australia and is proud to have given so much to the Wentworth Area over the last 15 years. It has certainly achieved its aims and continues to support an ever increasing number of parents whose babies are born needing the care of the dedicated team at Nepean Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.