AN INITIATIVE at NHS Forth Valley which has provided support to young first-time parents has celebrated its 10th birthday.

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), formed in 2014, sees nurses perform home visits to parents under 19, and also 20-24 in some cases, helping them adjust to life with a child.

This is delivered by specially trained nurses and midwives who provide support from early pregnancy until the child turns two.

To mark the milestone, NHS Forth Valley held a celebratory event at the Albert Halls in Stirling.

This was attended by more than 40 parents, past and present, who have been helped by the service.

They came along with their kids, who enjoyed Bookbug sessions, soft play and other activities.

Dani Stewart, family nurse, said: “It was great to see so many families come along with their children and also see them meeting each other, some for the first time.

“One of the families I work with said it was great to meet other families on the programme.

“A real highlight was watching the families join in with the Bookbug session and it was a real joy to see the smiles between the little ones and their parents.”

Launching in 2014, the service is now managed by a lead nurse, 11 family nurses, two supervisors, a data manager and an administrator.

Regular support is provided to the nurses by a resident psychologist, who all combine to help deliver tailor-made support for new parents and their children.