Our Impact
The Challenge
In the UK, African and Caribbean women have been facing devastating maternity disparities for many years. Our women especially have been subject to dire realities, including being five to four times more likely to die in childbirth and Asian women facing a two-fold risk.
Manchester is known for being very diverse and multicultural, with over 50% of babies born in Manchester in 2021 being mothers born outside the UK and African/Caribbean and South Asian families being a high percentage of the residents. However, services facilitated to support these groups, which have ethnic and cultural representation, are very few.
We have conducted local based projects to understand the experiences of these groups within Maternity and early parenthood, hosting projects and events to establish the work required to support these women.
Summary Of Projects.
OUR MANCHESTER FIRST 1000 DAYS DOULA PROGRAMME :
The First 1000 Days Programme: Partnered with The African Caribbean Care Group, we delivered personalised one-to-one doula support for African, Caribbean and South Asian women based in South, North and Central Manchester improving outcomes locally . The doula support included:
- Support through labour at hospitals, homes and birth centres.
- Providing postnatal recovery
- Nutrition and Food parcels
- Well-being Workshops.
The aim of the support was to tackle disparities within Maternity and support better outcomes for women and families from Black and Asian communities. See our annual report to read more about our findings.
Project timeline: 2 Years
Funded by Population of Health, Manchester City Council
MUM’S PEER SUPPORT GROUP
Black Mums Peer Support: These monthly peer support provided a space for mums to network and connect with other mums reducing the risks of isolation and postnatal depression. These discussions focused on removing the stigmas we have placed on mental health within the black community by creating a safe space where mums and mums-to-be feel comfortable talking about challenges they may face.
The support sessions took place in a local community centre and park. Due to the success of these sessions, we continue to hold space monthly for mums to talk, share and network. We also held space for a Black Men’s Group to listen to the challenges and needs of Black men within the community to understand the services we lack for the village to flourish.
Funded by IMHN (Independent Mental Health Network)
Project Timeline: 12 months
MINDING HER SPACE
Minding Her Space: A project to support the mental health of Black women who are more likely to suffer from postnatal depression and are statistically at a higher risk of being sectioned after birth. We held weekly sessions incorporating yoga, writing, informal conversations and online and in person events.
These sessions took place at the beginning of the lockdown, when there was an increase in families being isolated and new mums were unable to connect and network with other mums and were extended for a further 6 months.
Funded by Comic Relief
Project Timeline: 18 months
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
International Women’s Day is always an opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing women in our community, discuss health and well-being and pregnancy and birth related topics, whilst providing resources and tools to support the community.
Funded by Manchester Well-Being
Women’s Health Matters 2019
International Women’s Day is always an opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing women in our community, discuss health and well-being and pregnancy and birth related topics, whilst providing resources and tools to support the community.
Rebirthing the Village 2022:
Minding Her Space: A project to support the mental health of Black women who are more likely to suffer from postnatal depression and are statistically at a higher risk of being sectioned after birth. We held weekly sessions incorporating yoga, writing, informal conversations and online and in person events.
MATERNITY VOICES PARTNERSHIP
International Women’s Day is always an opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing women in our community, discuss health and well-being and pregnancy and birth related topics, whilst providing resources and tools to support the community.