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'They kept me sane': Parental support group in plea for volunteers in Cork

14 10
31.05.2025

here are few things more life-changing than becoming a parent.

Our worlds transform when we have a new baby to look after, and often this experience can not only be joyous, but daunting, with many new parents experiencing isolation alongside the sleepless nights and endless nappy changes.

This is where organisations like Cuidiú come in. Ireland’s parental support charity, Cuidiú - meaning ‘help’ - was established over 40 years ago with the aim of aiding mums and dads as they navigate the journey of parenthood.

The charity has over 25 local branches, including the large and very active Cuidiú Cork. The branch hosts a range of regular events - from weekly coffee mornings and buggy walks to breastfeeding support and antenatal classes - and provides a lifeline for parents.

“They kept me sane,” says Amy Keelan, who began attending Cuidiú events when daughter Ailish was a few months old. “It was one of the most important parts of my maternity leave.”

So enthused was Amy by the sense of community at Cuidiú Cork, that she has since become a volunteer, currently hosting buggy walks in Macroom.

Cuidiú Cork is entirely volunteer-led and thus reliant on local people to dedicate their time in a variety of different ways. “We’ll have as much or as little as you can give,” says Melanie Grace, Branch Coordinator at Cuidiú Cork, who........

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