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Maternity Mates are volunteers who, alongside midwives and other health care professionals, support mothers-to-be by helping them to understand the issues and decisions that could affect their care. The Maternity Mates service recognises and supports the rights of all women to have a positive experience throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Sister Circle recruits and trains volunteers to provide emotional and practical support during pregnancy, childbirth, and up to three months after giving birth. The women we support are facing challenging and complex 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, are migrants (asylum seekers or refugees), or are survivors of gender violence. The programme is delivered in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest for women having their maternity care at Barts Health NHS Trust – the Royal London Hospital, Newham Hospital and Whipps Cross Hospital. Extensive training is provided to everyone who volunteers as a Maternity Mate. Training is usually on Wednesdays and Thursdays. After that, you will support women within flexible hours.
You will: • be flexible and non-judgmental • Have ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people of different backgrounds • Have a mature outlook and a commitment to personal development • Be committed to completing the Maternity Mates training • Be caring, sensitive, and good listener • Be approachable • Be reliable and committed • Have a genuine interest in women’s health and the vision and values of Sister Circle. • An additional language, such as Bengali, would be helpful.
• Develop your coaching, communication, and relationship-building skills • Gain 9 credits at Level 3 with the Open College Network (OCN) if you study for the “Volunteering as a Maternity Mate (Doula) element of the training. • You'll be supporting women living with challenging circumstances • Certificates of recognition and references to support your professional and career development
Our compulsory 5-week training programme will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. After training the length of time each Maternity Mate spends with a pregnant or new mother will vary but is usually 2-3 hours per week.
