I have now retired from paid work. I undertook my Fellowship when I was an early years health development officer, working for NHS Highland and Highland Council, in Scotland.

The focus of my Fellowship was to explore how parents could be supported in their parenting role. Through my work with midwives, health visitors and early years staff it had become clear that parents often lack information and encouragement about how to help their child's development. This ranged from basic understanding of the impact of nutrition and exercise through to recognising children's developmental phases.

Formal parenting classes were (rarely) available but these could be seen as stigmatising by parents and due to cost, only offered to those considered to have significant problems. I wanted to see how the early years settings could be a channel for professionals and parents to work together positively.

The Fellowship was a fascinating experience that enabled me to investigate how parents could find encouragement and support in their own communities. My findings influenced the final shape of the Highland parent support strategy.