Dr Bell's Family Centre - Bumps and Bairns

Dr Bell's Family Centre is running Bumps and Bairns on Tuesday mornings from 20 October to 8 December, at their centre on 15 Junction Place in Edinburgh. It's an informal, supportive drop-in for expectant parents and families with babies up to nine months, and it's open only to those living in the EH6 and EH7 areas. Single parents and parents with a partner are both welcome, and the whole thing is free.

The aim is simple: to meet, socialise and build support networks. Each session is guided by the group's interests and needs, so what happens on the day depends on who's there and what's on their minds. There's usually an activity on the table, but you don't have to take part in it if you'd rather just sit and chat. It's a drop-in, so you can pop along when it suits you rather than committing to every single date.

Because it's a community-run session, there are a couple of practical things to keep in mind. You'll need a government-recognised photo ID to get in, and while the sessions themselves are free, donations are welcome — just be aware that they're non-refundable. If you're in the EH6 or EH7 area and looking for a bit of company while you're expecting or in those first few months with a baby, it's a low-pressure way to find other parents nearby.

Sessions run every Tuesday from 20 October to 8 December, from 10:00 to 11:30 — an hour and a half each time — at Dr Bell's Family Centre, 15 Junction Place, Edinburgh EH6 5JA. Entry is free.