Do you feel you would like to give back some of the support that you have received through your breastfeeding journey? Would you like to help others achieve their breastfeeding goals?
Becoming a Leader with La Leche League GB, could be exactly what you are looking for.
The process for becoming accredited as an LLL Leader is the same the world over. Anyone interested in applying for leadership needs a recommendation from an active LLL Leader. The first step is to read this document Thinking about LLL leadership which explains more about what Leaders do and our responsibilities as volunteers.
If reading this confirms your interest in leadership, then talk to your local LLL Leader. She will discuss with you how your own experiences and philosophy relate to the LLL International Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership. She can also answer any questions you have about leadership, explain more about what work the leadership application involves and how your local group can support you with this.
Sometimes the closest group might be too far away – but that isn’t a problem at all. If there is no group in your area, contact the Leader Accreditation Department to be referred to a LAD representative who can help you.
Fees: to apply to train as a Leader you must be a member of LLL Great Britain but there are no other fees. For information on how to become a member of LLL, please see here.
Here’s what some Leaders have to say about being an LLL Leader.
Being an LLL Leader is the best job I ever done. I feel very happy when the mother on the other end of the line or in the meeting feels reassured and confident that she can trust her intuition and is the best expert on the baby. I also love making new friends in our local community, which often happens through LLL meetings and home visits. – Maria, LLL Leader
I’m an LLL Leader because when I needed breastfeeding support the local LLL Leaders were there for me, so I want to be there for other people. It’s like paying it forward and it’s also very fulfilling for me. -Efrat, LLL Leader
However busy my life can be, I get such a lift from turning an exhausted mother’s tears into hope and determination, just by listening to her and telling her she’s doing a great job. Of all the people she may have met, usually none of them have actually done that. And when she feels her problem is breastfeeding-related, getting that boost from a LLL Leader makes all the difference. – Sara, LLL Leader
As a Leader I hope I help mothers to trust their instincts and learn from their babies. I learn from the mothers all the time, building a resource which seems worth sharing. I enjoy keeping in touch with caring families and seeing the many different ways they use that information. – Jill, LLL Leader
I volunteer as an LLL Leader because it makes me happy, and I love making a positive difference to people’s lives. – Polly, LLL Leader
As an LLL Leader, I have gained active listening skills which have enriched my life. Empowering mothers through empathising so that they can make the decisions that are best for their family, makes me feel deeply satisfied. – Shaheda, LLL Leader
I’m an LLL Leader, because I remember how much I struggled with breastfeeding at the start, and I want to help parents feel listened to, less alone and more confident about how they choose to feed their babies. What I’d give to be able to do it all again with an LLL Leader by my side! – Sophia, LLL Leader
I volunteer as an LLL Leader because when I needed help there was no one and I never want a new parent to feel as alone as I was with my breastfeeding questions. I volunteer because we all need a community to support and inform us. – Siobhan, LLL Leader
I love being an LLL Leader! It’s wonderful to be able to support mums through their breastfeeding journey and help empower them to make the best decisions for their family. It’s challenging and hard work at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. – Sarah, LLL Leader
The benefits to me from volunteering as an LLL Leader? I get a lot of satisfaction from helping mums find their way to a rewarding breastfeeding experience and seeing them develop a mothering style that suits them. – Sally, LLL Leader
