In celebration of the varied and inspiring lives that make Nine Elms unique, a local radio show is hosting a weeklong programme of neighbourhood guests.

From the 7-13 September, ‘Radio Local’ will be showcasing various ‘Local Legends’, to emphasise the importance of community and creativity in difficult times.

The programme is in collaboration with Battersea Arts Centre and Wandsworth Council, and is hosted by award-winning duo Jenny Hunt and Holly Darton.

The line-up includes small business owners, campaigners, and artists from the area.

Ahead of her show this Saturday (Sept 13), The Wandsworth Times spoke to former President of the Royal College of Midwives, Caroline Flint.

A natural birth pioneer, Mrs Flint set up South London’s first private birthing centre in the 1980s. She has made her name campaigning for support, care and consideration in pregnancy rather than clinical hospital treatment.

Your Local Guardian:

Delivering hundreds of babies in her 50-year career, including those of Davina McCall, and Stella Tennant, as well as penning six birth books, the 79-year-old is still finding time to help mothers, and soon-to-be mothers, in Nine Elms.

Mrs Flint has dedicated her whole life to women and children, describing a “transformative” moment which inspired to become a midwife at 8-year-old.

Through tears, she vividly recalls being involved in the birth of her younger sister.

“I knew from that moment that I wanted to be a midwife and have children of my own. Since then I’ve been very blessed, I’ve been a midwife for 50 years and even delivered nine of my grandchildren.

“It’s the greatest honour when your own daughter, and daughter in law ask you to be their midwife,” she said.

“I love seeing women, how they grow and develop, and become a family. When I look after families several times you see a glimpse of a family. It’s a beautiful job.”

Now retired, Mrs Flint has lived near Nine Elms for the last 30 years. However, she still shares her wisdom through community club ‘Bumps and Babies’ every Tuesday afternoon.

Formerly, women would meet Mrs Flint at the Riverside Pub at St George Wall, but since the pandemic meetings have shifted to Zoom.

Mrs Flint says that currently, the club’s Whatsapp Group is pinging away, with women sharing tips on nurseries, buggies and the like.

“New mothers often feel very lonely, so the more they talk to each other the better. We connect women who live near each other, who can meet up in parks and things,” she said.

The former midwife has also been vocal about how the pandemic might change the culture of home births, though she suggests women read the research for themselves.

“If women book for a home birth than the quality of care they receive is better. They get a more individualised system of care as you get to know your midwife and feel more relaxed.”

In particular, she says home births can be safer for BAME mothers.

“Five times more women of colour die during childbirth, which is absolutely unacceptable. This is 2020, women are at lower risk than they have ever been in the history of women kind. They should be sailing though birth.”

Mrs Flint is undecided how she will use her platform this Saturday, but says she is looking forward to being on Radio Local – Nine Elms.

“I do love radio, and local radio in particular is so exciting. Battersea Arts centre always runs such exciting projects.

“I think I’ll tell people to be kind and be involved, to look out for people and see if there’s anything they need. Community is so important, sometimes it can be difficult to communicate.”

Radio Local - Nine Elms runs daily at 4-5pm until Sunday 13 September 2020, available to stream via Riverside Radio or bac.org.uk/radio-local/

To join Bumps & Babies you can contact Caroline on: 0797 365 7642.