About the IAIM
UK Board Members
Clare Straughan
IAIM UK Chapter President
I have been a member of the Executive Board since 2016, previously in the CIMI Support Co-ordinator role. I was absolutely delighted to be asked to stand for the role of President and was voted in at our AGM in November 2023.
I was first introduced to baby massage when I was invited to attend one of the very first baby massage course in the North East delivered by Janice Hart, my Mam’s neighbour and life long family friend, with my first son, back in 1999! Baby massage had such a profound impact on my life, I attended Janice’s massage classes with my younger 2 children (in 2006 and 2008) and in 2010 was given the opportunity to train as a CIMI and was absolutely thrilled when I arrived at the venue to discover that Janice was my trainer!
I delivered baby massage classes voluntarily for our local Sure Start Children’s Centres, then went on to set up my own business Soothing baby massage and children’s yoga in May 2012. Since then, I have taught baby massage to hundreds of families in and around Newcastle upon Tyne where I am based. I have grown my business over the years and as well as baby massage I now also teach pregnancy yoga, wellbeing for mothers and babies, baby yoga, toddler yoga, children’s yoga, and teen yoga. I still teach some of my very first baby massage class yoga to this day!
I have been volunteering as a breastfeeding peer support volunteer with a local charity for the last 15 years.
When I am not working or volunteering, I like nothing more than spending time with my family, walking my dog, playing netball or practicing yoga.
Bec Slater
IAIM UK Chapter Vice President
I trained as a CIMI in 2005 and I have facilitated classes through a children’s centre for Local Authority and also as an independent CIMI, running my own classes, which has given me insight and experience of both aspects of delivery.
I also work for the international parenting programme, Parents As First Teachers where I train and support professionals and practitioners in delivering the research and evidence based home-visiting programme.
I have two boys; my youngest is at Uni and my eldest qualified as a paramedic last year and lives nearby in Berkshire, where I’m based. Most Saturday mornings you’ll find me participating and/or volunteering at a “parkrun.”
During the pandemic, the UK Chapter launched the Spirit of Community project and I was fortunate to be one of the award recipients. This enabled me to run a massage class for a local charity supporting women fleeing domestic abuse.
I LOVE the IAIM organisation and ethos and that’s why I am delighted to support the UK Chapter.
Over recent years, I have enjoyed my role as one of the Chapter’s Reps, first supporting CIMIs in Greater London, and then as a country rep for England, and now in 2024 as your Vice President. I plan to work with Clare Straughan, the Executive Board and all CIMIs as we strive towards strengthening the Chapter and providing the opportunity for as many families as possible to access, experience and enjoy the many benefits of infant massage.
Valentina Romagnoli
IAIM UK Chapter International Represenative
I am Valentina and since January 2023 I am the IAIM International Representative for the UK Chapter. I am originally from Italy but have lived for 12 years in UK, where I did my training in 2021.
I ran baby massage classes in the lovely Devon, but then, me and family decided to start a new adventure. So, we left Devon, nearly two years ago, and we moved to Tenerife, the place where I currently live with my husband and my two daughters.
I run baby massage classes for English speaking families here in Tenerife, and I am looking forward to organising more. Alongside that, I work in a bilingual nursery, where children have the opportunity to spend their time outdoors, in nature, and take care of the farm animals.
I am passionate about the IAIM, early years, multiculturalism, nature and animals, any type of outdoor experience, good coffees and healthy food!
Deb Wilson
Finance & Business Officer
CIMI. Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Independent infant feeding and tongue-tie specialist.
I have been fortunate to work with babies and their families since qualifying as a paediatric nurse in 2002. My career has focused on neonatal nursing, supporting babies and their parents/carers in various roles, always striving to provide the highest standards of care. Knowing the benefits of ‘kangaroo care’, training as a CIMI felt a natural progression, promoting resting hands and nurturing touch. I strongly believe that access to education and skills are key to increasing knowledge and awareness and look forward to continuing to support families, directly and indirectly, through the benefits of infant massage within our IAIM UK Chapter.