by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Franco Russo, regional director of the INPS; Maria Rita Lemme, director of the INPS Trieste branch
A new breastfeeding room opened on Tuesday at the Provincial INPS (National Social Security Institute) office in Trieste, offering a dedicated space for mothers and their children. The inauguration was attended by Massimo Tognolli, the city’s Social Policy Councilor, along with INPS officials and representatives from local volunteer organizations.
The facility includes a comfortable chair and two changing tables in private areas, designed to improve the experience for mothers visiting the office. The project was carried out in collaboration with Astro, the Trieste-based volunteer organization that supports children and families in medical and institutional settings, which provided the furnishings.
Speaking at the opening, Councillor Tognolli highlighted the importance of initiatives that support families. “These kinds of projects show sensitivity toward citizens and the broader social community,” he said, praising INPS for implementing the new space.
Maria Rita Lemme, director of the Trieste INPS office, emphasized that the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen the institute’s ties with the community. “The more social actors participate, the higher the quality of service we can provide,” she said, thanking Astro for its contributions and noting that similar projects have been expanding across the region.
Franco Russo, regional INPS compliance manager, said the space is part of a broader effort to make the office more welcoming and inclusive. “We aim to provide services that are not only professional but also attentive to families’ needs,” he said, noting that small interventions like this can have a significant impact on well-being and public service quality.
Roberto Cook, president of Astro, said the organization’s goal is to raise awareness of the importance of supporting children and mothers in both social and institutional settings. Founded in 1999, Astro currently has about 100 volunteers who work at the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo hospital to ease the impact of hospital stays on children and their families through recreational activities and volunteer programs in local schools.
The initiative follows previous INPS efforts in Trieste to make institutional spaces more child-friendly. Two years ago, the institute collaborated with local associations to create a welcoming waiting area at the Legal Medical Center, complete with games, colorful decorations, and furniture designed to make visits less stressful for children and their families. Similar projects have been implemented in the provinces of Gorizia, Udine, and Pordenone, providing more comfortable spaces for children across the region.
The new breastfeeding room at the Trieste INPS office reflects an ongoing commitment by public institutions and local organizations to respond to citizens’ needs with attention, inclusivity, and community support.
