Have you heard?

Bethel is proud to launch the Birmingham West Birmingham Health Champions (BWBHC) programme.

This groundbreaking programme offers West Birmingham residents a unique chance to gain free professional training, hands-on experience, and career pathways into maternity care, NHS roles, and mental health support.

Are you ready to commit to an exciting 6-month journey, shaping your career and community?

Click below to learn how you can make a real difference today.

PARTNER WITH US

Over the years, Bethel has positively impacted many lives through various activities under our listening and Doula services.

Click the link below to see the extent of our impact.

Request for Feedback: Help Us Improve Our Services

Your feedback is incredibly important to us, as it helps us understand what we’re doing well and where we can make enhancements.

Therefore, we kindly request a few minutes to share your thoughts and suggestions.

To facilitate this process, we have prepared a brief feedback survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. Your responses will remain anonymous and be used solely for internal improvement.

Rapha Listening Service - Rapha Service

Our culturally sensitive listening service is non-judgemental,
confidential, compassionate and all about you.

Bethel Heath Network - Doula services

Our doula service provides practical and emotional
support to vulnerable and isolated pregnant women.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Bethel Health & Healing Network is a proud recipient of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising volunteers supporting families and mental health across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

About Bethel Network

What we do

Our mission, anchored in Birmingham and Sandwell, is to support vulnerable pregnant women and new mums. We address high infant mortality rates caused by poverty and social deprivation, delivering emotional and practical assistance to those most in need.

Explore our services and support us in our endeavor to foster healthier, safer communities for mothers and children.

Volunteer

“If you have been thinking about volunteering, this is the organisation that you will love.”

Rapha Listening Service User

“The listening service has given me confidence about life.”

Doula Service User

“It’s good to have someone with you during the labour because it’s really hard to be alone.”

Did you know?

Bethel Health and Healing Network is a registered charity.

We have delivered our doula service primarily to asylum seekers, but people of all faiths, races and cultures are welcome without any fear of discrimination.

Our impact

Discover more about the impact our services have made for individuals and the community.

Our history

The Bethel Network blossomed from humble beginnings as a parish nursing service. 

Latest news and stories

King’s Award for Voluntary Service – Bethel Birmingham

King’s Award for Voluntary Service – Bethel Birmingham

Bethel Health & Healing Network, a Birmingham charity supporting vulnerable mothers and adults with mental health challenges, has been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the UK’s highest award for local volunteer groups. The Award recognises the dedication of our doulas, listeners and partners serving communities across Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull.

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Bethel Health and Healing Network
Bethel Health and Healing Network11 hours ago
💜 MEET CLAIRE: DOULA VOLUNTEER MAKING LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT 💜

This photo was taken last week in a Birmingham delivery room. That's Claire - one of our Doula volunteers - supporting a mum through labour and birth.

Claire was trusted to support this mum independently. And look at what happened: a beautiful baby girl, a grateful mum, and a volunteer who just changed someone's life forever.

**THE MUM SENT US THIS MESSAGE:**

"I would be very grateful if you could pass on my sincere thanks to Claire. Her kindness, encouragement, and calm presence made a real difference during such an important time. Her support will always be remembered and deeply appreciated 🙏🏾❤️ and thank you and Bethel doula so much for your support."

Read that again. "Will always be remembered."

That's the impact our Doula volunteers make.

**THIS IS THE DOULA HEALTH CHAMPION PATHWAY:**

🤱 **Who is Claire?**
A trained Bethel Doula volunteer. Not paid staff. A community member who completed our Doula training programme and is committed to supporting vulnerable Birmingham families.

💙 **What does she do?**
- Provides emotional and practical support during pregnancy
- Attends births as a trusted birth partner
- Offers postnatal support for new mothers
- Advocates for families navigating the NHS system

✨ **Why does this matter?**
Many of our mums face:
- Pregnancy alone (no partner, no family support)
- Language barriers in hospitals
- Fear of medical settings
- Previous trauma or difficult birth experiences
- Poverty and housing instability

Having Claire there, calm, kind, encouraging, changed this mum's entire birth experience.

**"THROWN IN AT THE DEEP END"**

Yes, Claire stepped up while I was away. But here's the thing: she wasn't *actually* thrown in unprepared.

She was:
✅ Fully trained through our Doula programme
✅ Supervised and supported by senior doulas
✅ Trusted because she'd proven herself ready
✅ Equipped with skills, knowledge, and compassion

That's what proper volunteer training looks like. That's the Doula Health Champion model.

**WANT TO BECOME A DOULA VOLUNTEER LIKE CLAIRE?**

We're recruiting for our next Doula training cohort!

**What you'll get:**
- Full Doula training and certification
- Ongoing supervision and mentorship
- Experience supporting real families
- Pathway to NHS, midwifery, or doula careers
- The chance to change lives (like Claire just did)

**What we need from you:**
- Compassion and commitment
- 10-15 hours per month (flexible)
- Willingness to learn and be supervised
- DBS check (we arrange this)
- Desire to support vulnerable families

📧 **Email:** enquiries@bethelnetwork.org.uk
📞 **Call:** 0121 824 0746
🌐 **Website:** bethelnetwork.org.uk

To Claire: You were absolutely incredible. Thank you for showing up, being present, and making this mum feel supported when she needed it most. We're so proud of you. 💜

To the mum: Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! Thank you for trusting us to support you. We're honoured to have been part of your journey. 🌸

This is why we do what we do. This is Bethel. This is community. 💛

#BethelDoula #DoulaVolunteer #BirthSupport #VolunteerImpact #Birmingham #DoulaHealthChampion #BirthWorker #CommunitySupport #MakeADifference #BethelFamily #VolunteerRecruitment
Bethel Health and Healing Network
Bethel Health and Healing Network3 days ago
🐣 INCREDIBLE EASTER DONATION FROM A LOCAL BIRMINGHAM GYM! 🐣

Look at this mountain of Easter eggs! A local gym partnered with Bethel to donate all this chocolate for vulnerable families - and we're so grateful!

🐰 **THE IMPACT:**

This Easter, thanks to this generous gym, families supported by Bethel's Baby Bank received Easter eggs for their children.

For mums facing:
- Poverty and financial hardship
- Housing instability or homelessness
- Domestic abuse situations
- Asylum/refugee status challenges
- Single parenthood with no support

...providing Easter treats can feel impossible.

But this donation meant mums could give their kids Easter magic - just like any other family. 💜

**ONE MUM TOLD US:**
"I can't afford Easter eggs this year. My kids are going to be so disappointed."

Thanks to this gym donation, her kids weren't disappointed. They got Easter excitement, chocolate, and joy. That's what community support looks like.

🎯 **TO THE GYM WHO DONATED:**

If you're seeing this post - THANK YOU! Please comment or message us so we can properly credit your incredible generosity! We want to shout about your kindness! 🐣

Your donation changed Easter for vulnerable Birmingham families. Thank you for caring.

💪 **BUSINESSES: WANT TO PARTNER WITH BETHEL?**

We work with gyms, offices, community groups, and local businesses to support families year-round.

Get in touch:
📧 enquiries@bethelnetwork.org.uk
📞 0121 824 0746

Together, we can support Birmingham's most vulnerable families.

#EasterDonation #BirminghamGyms #BethelBabyBank #CommunitySupport #LocalBusiness #Easter2026 #CorporateGiving #GivingBack #BirminghamFamilies #BethelFamily
Bethel Health and Healing Network
Bethel Health and Healing Network2 weeks ago
Maternal Wellbeing Through Community Connection: Bethel's "Connect, Stay & Play" Celebration

Tomorrow, Bethel's Doula Service hosts a sip & paint celebration for pregnant women and new mothers as part of our Connect, Stay & Play programme - addressing maternal isolation through creative community engagement.

🎯 PROGRAMME CONTEXT:

Maternal isolation is a documented public health concern, particularly affecting:
- Young mothers (<21)
- Mothers from minoritised communities
- Mothers experiencing poverty or housing instability
- Mothers without family support networks
- First-time mothers navigating unfamiliar systems

Connect, Stay & Play addresses this through structured social opportunities that combine:
- Creative activities (art, crafts, cultural celebration)
- Peer connection and shared experience
- Practical support and information
- Community belonging and cultural affirmation

💡 **EVENT DESIGN ELEMENTS:**

**Cultural Inclusivity:**
International flags are displayed, recognising participants' diverse backgrounds and affirming that all maternal experiences are valued.

**Creative Expression:**
"My Journey" pregnancy-themed art allows mothers to process and celebrate their unique experiences through creative expression - a recognised therapeutic intervention.

**Dignity and Care:**
Hotel venue, thoughtful centrepiece, quality supplies, and gifts communicate that participants deserve celebration and investment - countering narratives of "undeserving" mothers often applied to vulnerable populations.

**Women's Day Integration:**
Aligned with International Women's Day (March 8th), an extended celebration, acknowledging maternal experience as worthy of public recognition.

📊 **ADDRESSING SERVICE GAPS:**

Traditional maternal services focus on clinical outcomes (healthy baby, safe delivery). Connect, Stay & Play addresses the often-neglected maternal well-being component:
- Social connection
- Mental health protection
- Identity affirmation beyond "mother" role
- Joy and celebration (not just crisis intervention)

**OUTCOMES:**

While specific metrics are programme-specific, peer connection programmes demonstrate:
- Reduced maternal isolation scores
- Increased service engagement
- Improved mental health indicators
- Stronger community resilience

**SECTOR IMPLICATIONS:**

For commissioners and providers developing holistic maternal services, this model demonstrates low-cost, high-impact interventions that:
- Complement clinical care
- Build community capacity
- Address social determinants of maternal mental health
- Create sustainable peer support networks

**Partnership Model:**

Connect, Stay & Play represents the integration of:
- Doula support (1:1 birth partnership)
- Group activities (peer connection)
- Community celebration (dignity and affirmation)
- Practical support (information, resources)

Creating a comprehensive wraparound maternal care ecosystem.

Bethel Health & Healing Network | Registered Charity 1116225
enquiries@bethelnetwork.org.uk

#MaternalHealth #CommunityHealth #SocialPrescribing #Birmingham #HealthEquity #PregnancySupport #MaternalWellbeing #PublicHealth #WomenInHealth #ThirdSector #SocialImpact
Bethel Health and Healing Network
Bethel Health and Healing Network3 weeks ago
🌟 YESTERDAY'S VOLUNTEER OPEN DAY: THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP! 🌟

What a fantastic turnout! Tuesday, March 11th, Bethel welcomed potential volunteers to our Open Day, and we're excited about the people we met!

📸 **WHAT YOU MISSED:**

👥 A room full of people passionate about supporting their community
☕ Tea, coffee, and snacks (because hospitality matters!)
💬 Honest conversations about what volunteering with Bethel is really like
📋 Information about our Doula, Rapha Listening, and Baby Bank volunteer roles
🤝 Meeting current volunteers and hearing their experiences
✨ Discovering how volunteering fits into YOUR life

**WHY PEOPLE VOLUNTEER WITH BETHEL:**

✅ **Make Real Impact** - Support vulnerable families and people in mental health crisis
✅ **Get Proper Training** - Doula courses, listening skills, safeguarding - all provided
✅ **Flexible Commitment** - We work around your schedule (Rapha can even be done remotely!)
✅ **Build Your CV** - Gain experience, certificates, and references
✅ **Career Pathways** - Many volunteers move into NHS, midwifery, and counselling roles
✅ **Join a Family** - Our 100% volunteer retention rate speaks for itself!

💜 **TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED:**

Thank you for considering Bethel. Whether you're ready to start training or still thinking about it, we're here. Your time, compassion, and commitment could change someone's life.

**COULDN'T MAKE IT? WANT TO VOLUNTEER?**

We recruit year-round! Here's how to get involved:

📧 **Email:** enquiries@bethelnetwork.org.uk
📞 **Call:** 0121 824 0746
🌐 **Website:** bethelnetwork.org.uk

**CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:**

🤱 **DOULA VOLUNTEERS**
Support pregnant women and new mothers through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Training provided.

👂 **RAPHA LISTENING VOLUNTEERS**
Provide mental health listening support (remote/phone option available). Training provided.

📦 **BABY BANK VOLUNTEERS**
Help sort, organise, and distribute essential baby items to families in need.

All roles: DBS check required | Flexible hours | Full support provided

👉 **Know someone who'd make a great volunteer?** Tag them!

Thank you, Birmingham, for showing up and showing you care. Together, we're building a stronger community. 💛

#BethelOpenDay #VolunteerRecruitment #Birmingham #Volunteering #CommunitySupport #DoulaVolunteer #RaphaListening #BabyBank #MakeADifference #BethelFamily
Bethel Health and Healing Network
Bethel Health and Healing Network3 weeks ago
💚 LAST MONTHS RAPHA GROUP WELLBEING SESSION: BUILDING CONFIDENCE & MOVING FORWARD 💚

8 people. 3 hours. One safe space to talk, share, and support each other.

📅 Thursday, 27 February 2026
📍 Bloomsbury Health Centre, Nechells, Birmingham
🎯 Focus: Building Confidence & Moving Forward

WHO SHOWED UP:

✅ 8 brave individuals ready to work on their mental health
✅ 6 women and 2 men (breaking down barriers!)
✅ People from across Birmingham, including West Birmingham
✅ A diverse group united by one thing: wanting to move forward

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Mental health struggles can feel incredibly isolating. You think you're the only one feeling stuck, anxious, or lacking confidence. But then you walk into a room and realise: *I'm not alone.

That's the power of group wellbeing sessions.

💬 WHAT HAPPENS IN THESE SESSIONS:

✨ Facilitated discussions in a safe, non-judgmental space
✨ Practical skills and strategies for managing mental health
✨ Peer support - hearing from others who "get it"
✨ Creative activities and reflection
✨ Light refreshments (because good food helps!)
✨ Confidentiality and respect

WE ESPECIALLY CELEBRATE OUR MALE ATTENDEES:

Men face enormous pressure to "be strong" and "not talk about feelings." The fact that 2 men chose to show up yesterday and share their experiences? That's courage. That's breaking stigma. That's what we need more of.

Mental health support isn't "just for women." Everyone deserves a safe space to talk.

💜 RAPHA LISTENING SERVICE:

Our Group Wellbeing Sessions complement our 1:1 Rapha Listening support. Whether you prefer one-on-one listening or group sessions - we've got you.

**Topics we cover:**
- Building confidence & self-esteem
- Managing anxiety and low mood
- Moving forward after setbacks
- Healthy relationships
- Stress management
- And more!

📅 JOIN OUR NEXT SESSION:

👉 Follow our page for updates
👉 Call 0121 824 0746
👉 Email enquiries@bethelnetwork.org.uk

FREE TO ATTEND | 18+ | ALL WELCOME

To everyone who attended yesterday: thank you for showing up, for being vulnerable, for supporting each other. That's community. That's healing. 💛

#RaphaListening #MentalHealthSupport #GroupWellbeing #Birmingham #Nechells #MentalHealthMatters #MensMentalHealth #PeerSupport #CommunitySupport #BethelFamily #TherapyWorks
Bethel Health and Healing Network
Bethel Health and Healing Network4 weeks ago
Could you spare a minute to help Bethel Health and Healing Network? 🌿
We have been providing free, life-changing support to vulnerable women and families in Birmingham for nearly 20 years. This year alone, we supported 442 women through our Doula Service, Rapha Listening Service, and Health Champions programme.
The Benefact Group Movement for Good award gives charities the chance to win £1,000, and every nomination counts.
Please nominate us at movementforgood.com or scan the QR code in the image above. Share this post so your friends and family can nominate us too. Every single nomination makes a difference.
Thank you for standing with us. 💜

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Thank you to our partners

As a Doula Champion, you might accompany expectant mothers to prenatal appointments, provide birthing support if needed, help new mums with newborn care and breastfeeding, and ensure they attend their 6-week postnatal checks. You become a trusted companion and advocate for mothers who might otherwise be alone or uncertain.

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You will receive accredited doula training from experienced professionals (led by an ex-NHS midwife) , covering birth coaching, maternal health, and safeguarding. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the skills and
confidence to support women one-on-one.

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This pathway is ideal if you are interested in maternity care or midwifery. It offers invaluable hands-on experience – from attending births (optionally) to postpartum support – giving you a taste of a career in maternal health. Many Doula Champions use this experience as a springboard into NHS roles, midwifery training, or paid doula work in the future.

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Key activities: You will provide one-to-one support through active listening sessions – this could be over the phone, via video call, or in person. You let people share their feelings, and you offer empathy and guidance towards further help if needed (such as suggesting community services). Often, just being there to listen can make a huge difference.

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Training provided: You will undergo intensive training in reflective listening and mental health first response. Our training (often delivered via Zoom over a series of sessions) will teach you how to handle sensitive conversations, maintain confidentiality, and know your boundaries . By completion, you’ll be a certified listening volunteer with skills applicable to counseling or psychology fields.

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Emphasize volunteer scope: Rapha Champions commit to at least an hour per week of listening support for a client after training , which can often be arranged flexibly. You might have regular weekly calls with a client for a period of time. There are also opportunities to facilitate group sessions or community support groups as you grow in experience.

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Benefits and career pathways: This pathway is perfect if you’re interested in mental health, counseling, or social work. The experience you gain – in communication, empathy, and understanding mental health – is highly relevant to careers in counseling, psychotherapy, mental health nursing, or community support roles. Rapha Champions have a pathway to progress into formal counseling courses or mental health roles in the NHS or voluntary sector.” (For example, mention “You could go on to become a paid listening service coordinator or pursue qualifications in therapy – the programme can open these doors.

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