• Families invited to share messages of support to parents whose babies are on Bolton’s NICU
• Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is aiming to bring the community together for World Prematurity Day
• Messages received through Bolton NICU’s Instagram will be shared with families on 17 November

Families in Bolton who have spent time on Royal Bolton Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are being invited to share messages of support to parents whose babies are currently receiving extra special care.

To mark World Prematurity Day on Monday 17 November 2025, the Neonatal Unit is aiming to bring Bolton’s NICU community together through messages of support to show families they are not alone.

Messages can be as short or as long as people would like and can remain anonymous.

Janet Cotton, Director of Midwifery, said: “Babies can spend hours, days, weeks, or sometimes even months on our NICU, and we know it can be such a scary and lonely time for parents and families.

“Messages of hope, reassurance, love and strength can make all the difference to those on their NICU journey. We would love for Bolton’s NICU community to mark World Prematurity Day by sending a message to families with a baby in our Neonatal Unit.

People can take part by messaging on their Instagram page and the team will share messages with families in the Unit on Monday 17 November.

Bolton’s NICU provides care for 700 babies and families every single year and is one of only three Level 3 NICU’s in Greater Manchester, providing high quality care for babies with the highest need for support.

World Prematurity Day (17 November) is a global movement to raise awareness of premature birth and the sometimes devastating impact it can have on families.