The Bradford Doulas Project, a beacon of support for pregnant mothers and their families, marked its 12th anniversary in a heart-warming celebration that brought together families and volunteers who have been touched by this remarkable initiative.
The anniversary festivities was held at the Carlisle Business Centre, where 155 attendees came together throughout the day.
Joining the revelry were ten other community organisations and companies, ensuring there was no shortage of entertainment, including face painting, henna artistry, banner crafting, forest school activities, and the beloved Bradford Stories Bus.
The Bradford Friendship Choir enchanted the audience with their harmonious performance, uniting families and doulas in joyful song.
Beyond the merriment, the event also exemplified the project’s commitment to community well-being. It distributed 46 food parcels to families, courtesy of the JKN Foodbank, and nearly 200 eco-friendly nappies were provided thanks to the support of Bradford Council.
Image: Bradford Doulas
At the heart of the Bradford Doulas Project are its dedicated volunteers, affectionately known as “professional friends.” These volunteers offer invaluable assistance to women and birthing individuals, aiding them in making informed choices, accompanying them to appointments, offering practical support during childbirth, fostering connections with other service providers, and providing unwavering emotional support. Moreover, Doulas act as advocates for families, amplifying their voices and choices.
Research has consistently highlighted the positive impact of continuous support before, during, and after childbirth. Moreover, pairing families with Doulas from similar cultural backgrounds has emerged as a powerful way to ensure equitable and culturally responsive care.
Bradford Doulas supported Omotanwa before, during and after the birth of her daughter, she said: “Having a doula, it means you are in safe hands, which means you should not be worried…having them around me I felt so relaxed.”
Ruth Shaw, senior head of integration and change – women and children, Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, said: “The Bradford Doulas project helps provide mothers and families in Bradford with the maternity support they need to help their babies have the best start in life.
“This project, which was initially funded by Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Group 12 years ago and then enhanced as part of our Reducing Inequalities in Communities (RIC) programme, is responding to local needs and addressing the health inequalities we see across Bradford so that local families can live happy and healthy lives. Happy Birthday Bradford Doulas.”
Gill Thornton, Head of Programme at Better Start Bradford, said: “Bradford Doulas has been funded in the Better Start Bradford area as part of our innovative programme since 2015, supporting families with children aged 0-3 including pregnancy. We were delighted to join in the celebration as we have seen how much women and their babies benefit from this extra tailored support in pregnancy and childbirth. Our families love the Doulas service and feel they and their babies get a much better start when they have a Doulas alongside them.”
