Flo’s in the park based in the city of Oxford is a community-owned hub for people to meet, work, play, create, learn, eat and connect. They work to provide better local opportunities, reduce inequalities and support the environment.

The LMNS and ICB have funded the project Early Lives Equal Start as part of Flo’s wider work in the community.

This community project responds to inequalities in access, experience and outcomes faced by Black and minoritised women and birthing people (those from the global majority) living in their local OX4 area. The focus is to support families through their baby’s first 1,000 days, which spans pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life.

Some of the current workstreams include:

• Targeted and effective antenatal education and support
• Maternal justice case work
• Pre- and post-natal support
• Working towards real advocacy by strengthening the community voice of mothers through co-production and development
• Community co-produced research and evaluation

So far, the project has supported 47 women through the project. Of these, 26 women had language barriers that prevented them from accessing the appropriate support, 25 women were facing homelessness, 30 women were facing extreme poverty and others were dealing with domestic abuse and immigration challenges.

The Flo’s project continues to go from strength to strength and continues to see more women and birthing people, supporting them in their pregnancy journey and beyond. If you would like to volunteer or get involved or would like to attend one of the events, view the following website: flosoxford.org.uk/eles