Growing Well Together, a local service that helps parents and carers build a close, secure bond with their baby, is taking referrals again from Monday 2 November 2026.
The Navigo-run parent-infant relationship service paused to new referrals in February 2026, but is now reopening as part of North East Lincolnshire Council’s Best Start in Life programme, alongside a simpler way for families to get the right support.
Growing Well Together supports expectant parents and parents or carers of babies up to two years old who are registered with a GP in North East Lincolnshire.
Support includes one-to-one sessions, parent and carer groups and other approaches. The team can meet families at home, at a Family Hub, at a community venue or at their base at Freshney Green Primary Care Centre on Sorrel Road in Grimsby.
Healthcare professionals – including midwives, health visitors and Family Hub staff – can refer families using one shared form. Parents can also refer themselves to the service.
Every referral is looked at by a weekly panel made up of local health, family help, mental health and voluntary services which collectively agree on the best support option for each family. That may be Growing Well Together, but could also be another service, such as Family Hub groups or other mental health support.
Marian Quinn, Clinical Lead for Growing Well Together, said: “Having a baby changes everything and it doesn’t always feel the way you expected. Some parents feel distant from their baby or worry they’re getting it wrong. That’s far more common than people think, and the right help early on makes a real difference to both parent or caregiver and baby.
“The new panel means families get pointed to the right support first time. Nobody should have to tell their story three times, or be passed from one service to the next.”
The team is also offering training and weekly drop-in clinics for midwives, health visitors and Family Hub staff. These help professionals feel confident talking with parents about their wellbeing and their relationship with their baby.
Since launching in June 2024, the service has built a strong reputation for working closely with other services and for the difference it makes to babies and their carers.
One individual who accessed Growing Well Together during her pregnancy, said: “I had [Growing Well Together] come to my house, and it was as though I had known them for ages. They reassured me, made me feel like my feelings were validated, and they understood me.
“They made sure to create a personal plan based on me, my life, my circumstances, and what works for me. They helped me identify my triggers and what would support me in creating an attachment to my pregnancy and my baby.
“I genuinely thought I wasn’t going to be able to go through this. But the utter, unconditional support I received from everyone reassured me that I could do this.”
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council’s Children’s Services said: “It’s fantastic that this support is going to be available once again for new and expectant parents in the area.
“The feedback has been really positive, so we’re pleased that we can support the service to continue for a further three-years.
“This is just one piece in a wider picture of support available to families in the local area. We recognise how important that support can be in transforming families.”
For more information and to refer to the service, visit navigocare.co.uk/gwt.