A new art exhibition telling the stories of families who have received donated breast milk and milk donors is being held at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).
‘Connecting Hearts’ explores the work of the Human Milk Foundation (HMF), a charity that provides donated breast milk to sick premature babies in hospitals across the country.
The exhibition features paintings and accompanying narrated audio to explain the importance of donor milk, with artwork including portraits of parents, babies, donors and those involved in the charity, including Blood Bike volunteers. QR codes are displayed alongside the paintings for people to scan and listen to the stories behind each image.
Local donors and families who have benefited from the work of the charity will be invited to the exhibition alongside healthcare teams at 5pm on Tuesday 15 April, in the East Atrium. Talks will also be given in the Benjamin Gooch Lecture Theatre by the exhibition’s curator Leanne Pearce, a unique portrait artist who celebrates early years, breastfeeding and parenthood, and the HMF.
Human Milk Foundation
Conceived as an idea in 2017 by a group of parents, scientists, milk bank experts and doctors, the HMF was borne out of the frustration at the lack of assured donor milk supply to hospitals to support the most vulnerable babies.
Milk is donated by mothers with a surplus to their own baby’s needs. All milk donors undergo extensive screening and all donor milk is pasteurised and tested by microbiology, then stored in specialist freezers before being distributed.
In 2019 the charity opened a dedicated donor milk hub at Hellesdon Hospital in partnership with Norfolk Blood Bikes, which provides more efficient transport of donor milk to hospitals and families in the region. Last year, in partnership with Norfolk County Council and Start 4 Life, the charity expanded milk banking services across the county to give more families access to specialist lactation support and donor milk. A further hub is planned to open this year in King’s Lynn.
The N&N Hospitals Charity purchases breast milk for babies in its care from the HMF and funds the costs of Blood Bike deliveries. £16,500 was spent on donor breast milk for babies on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in 2024, thanks to donations made to the charity’s NICU fund.
‘Life-changing impact’
Felicity Webster from the HMF said: “We are delighted that through this exhibition, the incredible stories behind human milk banking will be told, raising awareness of the life-changing impact that donating and receiving human milk can have on families.
“Donor human milk is an important source of nutrition for sick and premature babies if their mother’s own milk is not available, and helps to reduce the risk of serious complications. But it can also act as a bridge, giving mum the time and support to establish her own milk supply and go on to breastfeed.”
Emma Jarvis, Environmental Arts Manager at NNUH said: “Leanne is an incredibly powerful artist who has really brought these stories to life through her captivating artwork.
“The event will be a celebration of the wonderful work of the charity and highlight the huge impact donor milk can have on babies, families and donors.”
The ‘Connecting Hearts’ exhibition will be on display for patients, visitors and staff to view for the next three months.
