Have you heard of DorPIP?  We are a registered charity that provides therapeutic services for families with babies from conception to two years of age.  Our mission is to help families flourish by promoting sensitive attuned parenting, early bonding, and healthy attachment to give children the best start in life.  At DorPIP, our focus is on prevention.  By treating the root cause of adverse childhood experiences and supporting families to overcome these, we can give you the tools you need to give your little ones the best start in life.

We offer a range of services to support parents and babies in their early years.  Our multidisciplinary team works with families to provide tailored support that meets their individual needs and goals for improving the parent-infant relationship.  And the best part?  Our services can be accessed in various locations throughout Dorset or online!

What Services do DorPIP offer?

DorPIP offer a range of attachment-led therapeutic services for families within Dorset from conception to two years of age.  You can read more about the importance of the first 1001 days.

Our Services include:

Parent-Infant Talking Therapy

Our trained therapists provide a safe and supportive space where parents can talk through any challenges they may be facing in their relationship with their baby.  During these therapy sessions, you will have the opportunity to explore your emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a non-judgemental environment.  Our therapists use evidence-based approaches to help you develop a deeper understanding of your little ones needs and emotions.  We also support you with improving your own emotional regulation and communication skills helping you create a stronger bond between you and your child.

Our DorPIP therapist will work with you to create a personalised plan that is tailored to your situation.  The number and length of sessions required will vary depending on your personalized plan.  Ultimately, our aim will be to help and support you to develop a healthier and more fulfilling relationship with your little one.

Parent Infant Talking Therapy can be transformative. Parents often report feeling more confident in their abilities to meet their baby’s needs and develop a deeper understanding of their little one’s emotions and behaviours.  But don’t just take our word, a DorPIP parent said after experiencing our Parent Infant Talking Therapy, “My anger management when my baby cries have improved and I more confident of what I am doing as a mother. I am more positive about life in general and I no longer see the world as bad and dark. I have a routine which helps me to stay positive.  Now I understand her more and what her needs are.  Because I feel more confident about motherhood, I am sure she senses that and in turn she feels less stressed too.”  Please visit our DorPip for more information about some topics covered in these sessions, or email [email protected] to see if you are eligible for a funded place.

Infant Massage Courses

Our Infant Massage Courses are a wonderful opportunity for parents to bond with their babies and promote early development.  Our certified massage therapists have been trained by the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) and are equipped to guide you through the magical process of infant massage in a fun and relaxed environment.

Infant massage has many benefits for both you and your baby.  By learning massage techniques, you can promote the release of calming hormones, helping your little one feel relaxed and secure.  This can also aid in improving sleep, promoting better digestion, and boosting the immune system.  The physical benefits of infant massage are numerous, but the emotional benefits are equally as important.  You'll deepen your bond with your baby, creating a sense of connection and closeness that will last a lifetime.

Our 6-week Infant Massage classes are designed to teach you the necessary techniques to soothe and connect with your little one through touch.  By the end of the course, you'll have gained confidence in your ability to nurture your baby and provide the best possible start in life.

“The group was a lovely way to take some time to connect and bond with my baby and take home techniques I could teach my partner to help with their bonding too.”

– Parent feedback after completing DorPIP’s Infant Massage Course.

If you are interested in joining us for our next course and experiencing the magic of
infant massage for yourself, please visit DorPip for more information on the
current and upcoming courses:

Peer Support Groups

At DorPIP, we understand that being a parent can sometimes feel lonely and overwhelming.  That is why we offer peer-led support groups. 

Our Peer Support groups provide a safe, supportive space for your little ones to socialise, and for you to share your experiences and receive guidance and advice from other parents in a similar situation to yourself.  A DorPIP team member will also be there, facilitating the group and will ensuring that everyone attending has a chance to share their experiences and receive any support they need. 

Through our support groups, you can gain new perspectives, share parenting tips, ideas, and strategies, and gain emotional support from others who understand what you are going through.  After leaving a peer support group, you may have made a connection with someone and feel less isolated, and more confident which can have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing, and more equipped to handle the challenges of parenting.

Our Peer Support Groups are a safe, inclusive space where all parents and babies are welcome, regardless of their background and circumstances.  At DorPIP we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to connect with others and we are committed to providing a welcoming and non-judgemental environment for all that attend.

Online Services

We understand that not everyone can attend our services in person which is why we also offer online support.  Our online services include virtual Parent-Infant Talking Therapy sessions, the same safe and supportive space with a trained therapist but can be accessed from the comfort of your own home.  We also run online Peer Support Groups, as well as having a variety of resources and information available on our website.

To further our online support network, we have active social media pages on both Facebook and Instagram where we share tips and advice, as well as updates about our current courses available.

CURRENT ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE!

DorPIP Dads Course, start date 6th June 19:00-20:30

Attention all dads!  Your role in your child’s development is crucial, especially during the first 1001 days of life.  Research shows that secure attachment in infancy is a strong predictor of positive outcomes in later life.  That’s why DorPIP have created a FREE online course called DorPIP Dads!

This 6-week course focuses on parent-infant relationships, attachment, bonding and provides valuable skills to support your little one’s development.  You can sign up to our free course here.

By joining these sessions, you may build connections with other new dads that experiencing similar challenges and learn how to support yourself and your little one to help your family flourish.

We hope you have found this post helpful and informative.  At DorPIP we are committed to helping families flourish.  We are dedicated to supporting and improving your families’ relationships and give your little one the best start in life.  Don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay up to date with our latest new and resources.  Thanks for reading, and we look forward to supporting you and your family.

For any information or questions, you can email us at [email protected], or visit DorPip online.

If you enjoy bowling with family and friends then you’ll have a great time at the recently refurbished Hollywood Bowl at Tower Park.

You can book a VIP lane for a small additional cost and once we’d checked in we were shown to our VIP lane which is secluded and has fabulous Hollywood style decor and comfy seating.  The kids were desperate to get going so Dad got the names logged in and bumpers up for when the kids play and we were off.

I’d made the big mistake of bragging that I’d whip everyone’s butt and win but of course that meant I played really badly haha.  The kids did really well though, helped occasionally by the ramp which they can use to aim before letting go of the ball.  During the game we ordered drinks but you can also order snacks and sharers to enjoy while you play!

The dining area seems to be much larger than it was before and there’s plenty of comfy seating, a big bar and even pool tables which is ideal for older children and adults.

We sat on one of the round tables with sofa seating and since we’d ordered while we were playing it didn’t take long for our food to arrive.  The kids menu has a good choice of meals to choose from which included beef and chicken fillet burgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and chicken free dippers which are all served with a side of fries.  The children had no problem devouring their beef burger and hot dog and both of them gave the food the thumbs up.  Myself and my husband went with the cheese and bacon burger in a brioche bun with chips which was very tasty and reasonably priced considering what some restaurants seem to be charging now.  Other menu options include nachos, hot dogs, chicken tenders, mac ‘n’ cheese bites and burgers which includes a vegan option.

Before we left the children wanted to have a go on some of the arcade games.  There’s lots to choose from, most of the big one’s are £1 but there are a few which are 20p and 50p.  They were delighted to win some tickets on the games which they exchanged for sweets and slime at the reception desk.

We had such a great evening which the children have already asked for us to repeat asap.  If you are thinking of going then I’d recommend signing up to the Hollywood Bowl newsletter which often send offers and details about seasonal specials.

For more information on bowling at Tower Park and to book, please visit Hollywood Bowl.

Good to know:

You don’t need to put on the stinky shoes like you did in the old days so I’d definitely recommend wearing comfy and non-slip shoes for playing.

If you don’t have cash with you for the arcade then you can pay by card to receive coins ready for playing.

Hollywood Bowl also offer party packages which includes bowling fun, food and drinks.

Dorsetmums was invited for the purpose of a review however all words are my own.