What Does SSNAP Do?

SSNAP stands for ’Support for Sick Newborn And Parents’. Founded at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in 1982, the SSNAP team of ladies provides emotional, medical, financial and informational support for the parents of premature and sick babies and those that care for them. The unit can care for up to 56 babies at any one time and is a Level 3 Centre meaning that the most sick and premature babies from across the whole Thames Valley are looked after in Oxford.

Louis’ Story

Louis was born unexpectedly at just 27 weeks into pregnancy. He came into the world outside in the bitter cold of an early January morning before his shocked parents, Amy and Laurence, could get inside the safety of the local hospital.

Once the hospital team had stabilised the tiny boy, he was quickly transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. No sooner had they arrived in the unit, than the nurses helped Amy to have her first skin to skin cuddles with her son.

Within the hour, one of the SSNAPs team came bearing gifts and words of comfort.

The team of ladies, each with their own story to tell of having had a premature or sick baby cared for in the unit, quickly became daily visitors offering hot drinks, snacks, knitted gifts, information explaining the numerous tests needed for such a premature baby, and a listening ear. They even kept Amy and Laurence company on walks on Louis’ many operation days.

At Easter, when he was two months old and almost at his due date, Louis was given his very own Easter bonnet!

Everywhere you look in the unit the evidence of the amazing fund-raising work of the SSNAP team can be seen - breast pumps so that mums can ensure their babies get life-saving milk, story books to read to their tiny babies and huge, comfy chairs so that visitors feel welcome and, more importantly, so that parents can sit comfortably for the many hours of glorious daily skin to skin cuddles that are a stand-out feature of premature baby care at the JR.

SSNAP support the whole family, and the two set of grandparents were more able to find the strength to care for this fragile fledgling family thanks to the hugs and understanding provided by the team.

After six months and almost 20 brain, heart and gut operations, Louis finally came home to his besotted, extended family. The fact that Amy and Laurence navigated this often terrifying start to their parenting journey with such strength, courage and many smiles along with the tears is thanks in no small part to the phenomenal support they had from the SSNAPs ladies.

Put simply, the SSNAP team make the unbearable bearable, and Amy, Laurence and their families will be eternally grateful to them for their calm dedication in supporting those facing the most difficult days of their lives.

Thank you for your generosity which will enable the SSNAP team to continue supporting parents, families and staff caring for the premature and sick newborn in the Thames Valley.