Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership

WHO ARE WE?

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) is an independent NHS group that helps parents and families using local maternity and baby care services. Our goal is to make care the best it can be for families in our area.

We listen to mums, birthing people, dads, partners, and families about their experience, from the first midwife appointment to life after birth. Whether things went smoothly or there were challenges, your voice matters!

We work closely with the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS), part of the Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (ICB), to ensure care is kind, personalised, and safe. By putting feedback from families at the heart of decision-making, we support the ICB in meeting its goals as part of the national three-year plan for maternity and neonatal services in England.

By talking with people who’ve recently used local maternity and neonatal services, we gather real experiences and share them with the ICB and the teams who deliver care. This helps shape improvements that truly reflect what families need and value.

We’re also part of a national network of MNVP’s. All working together to turn lived experiences into positive change.

Together, we can build a more supportive, family-centered service for everyone.

All women, birthing people, partners, and families can get involved with their MNVP by giving feedback or becoming a service user representative.

WHAT WE DO

At Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin MNVP, we listen to families who use local maternity and neonatal services and make sure their voices are heard by those who plan and deliver care.

We:

Gather feedback from parents, birthing people, partners, and families about their experiences before, during, and after birth. We use this feedback to inspire changes in care.
Host focus groups on specific maternity and neonatal topics to understand people's experiences and needs better.
‘Walk the Patch’ and take part in the ‘15 Steps Challenge’ in local maternity and neonatal units, checking that the facilities and care meet the needs of the people using them. (registration form for June 15 Steps - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/0vJvVDVTQd)
Attend community events and network at local, regional, and national levels to stay connected to the communities we represent and support change across the wider network.
Join meetings across the LMNS to ensure service user voices are central to all decision-making processes.
Celebrate what works well, showcasing projects and changes that have been made thanks to MNVP input.
Provide critical friendship and accountability to professionals within the LMNS, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities, and the Integrated Care Board (ICB), ensuring services remain focused on continuous improvement.

We believe that listening to families is the key to making services more supportive and responsive—and we’re here to help make that happen.

At the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP), we believe every voice matters. Our goal is to reflect and represent the full diversity of the communities we serve across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
We warmly welcome the views and experiences of everyone—regardless of ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender, or ability.
We’re especially keen to hear from:
o   Black, Asian, mixed ethnic and other minority ethnic communities
o   Disabled people and neurodivergent individuals
o   LGBTQIA+ families
o   Dads, partners, and grandparents
o   Young parents
o   Families living in rural areas or in communities facing greater social or economic challenges
These are voices we know are not yet fully reflected in our work, and we’re committed to changing that. To find out how you can get involved in our work click here – (maternity-and-neonatal-voices-partnership-mnvp-volunteers)

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

If you have recently used maternity or neonatal services in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, we’d love to hear about your experience. Whether it’s about your care during pregnancy, labour, birth, or after your baby was born, your feedback is important to us.

Being open and honest helps us understand what’s working well and what needs to change. That’s why all feedback is completely anonymous. We encourage you to share as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing. Your feedback helps us make sure services are shaped by the real experiences of local families.

Learn more

INFORMATION

Explore our range of useful links and resources that may be able to support you throughout your pregnancy and help you understand the work being done by your local MNVP.

Learn more