Volunteering to Help Premature Babies

Life for a premature baby can be fragile and uncertain, and the families caring for them often feel exhausted, anxious and overwhelmed. Both the tiny babies and those who love them need practical and emotional support, and there are many small but meaningful ways you can help. From knitting a hat to offering a comforting cuddle, your time and kindness can make a real difference.

Craft Volunteering

Across the UK, a number of charities invite volunteers to sew, knit or crochet items for premature babies. These handmade pieces include clothes, blankets and hats, as well as delicate burial garments for babies who sadly do not survive. Every stitch provides comfort to parents and helps their babies feel warm and cared for.

Once made, the items are collected, washed and checked before being delivered to neonatal units, ensuring they are completely safe and soft for fragile skin. It’s a simple but deeply thoughtful way to support families during what can be a very difficult time.

This type of volunteering suits anyone with craft skills who can follow a pattern and work carefully. Finished items can be dropped off at a local collection point or posted to an address provided by the charity you’re helping.

Courier Volunteering

Several motorcycle and volunteer courier groups help transport donor breast milk, blood and medical samples between hospitals and neonatal units. The milk supports premature babies who are too small to feed normally, giving them vital nutrition and a stronger immune system. The blood is often used for mothers who experience complications after giving birth.

In rural areas, these deliveries can be crucial, sometimes arriving in the middle of the night. A regular supply of donor milk can reduce infections and give parents peace of mind. It also supports mothers who may be struggling to produce milk due to stress or illness.

Some parents who lose their babies continue to express and donate milk as part of their recovery. In doing so, they help other families and find comfort in knowing that their loss is helping someone else’s child to survive. Courier volunteers, in turn, support both sides of that act of generosity.

To take on this role, you’ll need a car or motorcycle, a clean licence and a good knowledge of your local area. Volunteers are trained by the charity they work with and provided with protective clothing, safety gear and the correct packaging for medical deliveries.

Support Group Volunteering

Each year, more than 80,000 babies in the UK are born too early, too small or unwell. Support groups bring parents together to share experiences, reduce isolation and talk through the ups and downs of life with a premature baby. They also help families coping with loss and guide relatives such as siblings or grandparents who may not know how best to offer support.

To join a group as a volunteer, you’ll usually need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and be comfortable talking with families in sensitive situations. Many organisations offer full training, mentoring and ongoing support so you’re never on your own.

Premature Baby Cuddle Scheme

Doctors now know that gentle human contact helps premature babies grow and stay calm. Some neonatal units run “cuddle schemes”, inviting trained volunteers to spend time holding and soothing babies when parents need a short break or are unwell themselves.

The role is quiet and peaceful — holding a baby, talking softly or humming to them — helping to steady their heartbeat and reduce stress. For many volunteers, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable, offering warmth and reassurance to both the baby and their family.

Where Can I Find a Cuddle Programme?

There’s no single national list of cuddle schemes in the UK, as most are organised locally. To find out more, contact the neonatal or special care baby unit at your nearest hospital, or visit your local NHS Trust’s website to ask about volunteering opportunities.

If you’d like to learn more about supporting premature and sick babies, visit Bliss, the leading UK charity for babies born premature or poorly. They offer information, training and ways to get involved through fundraising or volunteering.