Womens Health and Family Services

Womens Health and Family Services

At a glance

Causes

  • Black, asian and minority ethnic groups
  • Children / families
  • Community safety / victim support / domestic violence
  • Local / community
  • Voluntary sector support
  • Women

Other details

Organisation type: 
Charity
Geographical remit: 
Local

Objectives

Maternity Mates volunteer alongside midwives and other health professionals, enabling the mother-to-be to understand the issues and decisions that affect her care. Our aim is to ease the mother’s concerns and support her to gain a positive experience of giving birth and caring for her new baby. 

 

We recruit and train volunteers to provide emotional and practical support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early weeks of family life. The women we support are in vulnerable situations, either because they are isolated, without support from family or friends, lack English language skills, are not familiar with the health system, have mild mental health issues, or are migrant (e.g. asylum seekers or refugees), etc.

Activities

All Maternity Mates undergo a 5-6 week training programme (twice a week sessions), which is accredited to Level 3 with the Open College Network (OCN).  The training provides the knowledge and skills needed to develop the Maternity Mate role.  The training sessions will cover various topics including the antennal role, mentoring, breastfeeding, preparing for birth, birth and postnatal support and maternal mental health.

No current opportunities

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