West Bromwich Albion football club has opened the doors of its ground the Hawthorns to enable Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to set up temporary maternity clinics there.

In the current climate some pregnant women are feeling anxious about going to hospitals to attend maternity clinics. Providing an alternative space for women to receive antenatal and postnatal care will help to alleviate some of that anxiety.

The facility is due to open at the stadium in the next few days. Three clinics will be held a week – Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm in the East Stand suites. The appointment-only clinics will be staffed by ten midwives and three support workers.

The facility is for women who are 24 weeks pregnant onwards and there will also be postnatal clinics for women who have been discharged following the birth of their babies.

Helen Hurst, Director of Midwifery, has assured women that the clinics at the Hawthorns will be as safe as the services that are currently provided by NHS midwives within the community, and in GP clinics. Should the need arise, the stadium facility will be able to call on the ambulance service.

The maternity clinics are an example of how organisations at the heart of the community can help during the current crisis, and this is something the football club is determined to continue to do.

The Albion Foundation has created a package for its supporters to access free activities, sessions and challenges at home. The Stay at Home Offer allows youngsters to stay active with sporting exercises, maintain good wellbeing, and test the brain with educational activities.

It sends out one task per day via its social media channels, and people taking part are encouraged to send a photo, video or message saying how they have fared with each day’s activity.

Keep up to date with news and developments from the club on the news page of its website. And watch this space for more positive news stories from around Sandwell.