Trustee Biography Marlene Owens

As a seasoned midwife with 12 years of experience, my passion lies in addressing health disparities within maternity care. Leading a team of community midwives, I ensure comprehensive support for expectant mothers while actively advocating for equitable healthcare access.

My dedication stems from a belief that every mother deserves exceptional care, irrespective of background or status. Beyond my professional role, I’m a proud mother of two daughters passionate about netball, teaching me the values of teamwork and perseverance.

My approach to midwifery goes beyond clinical expertise, it’s about holistic care and support during life’s significant transitions. Continuous learning is vital to me, I regularly engage in professional development to enhance my skills and contribute to evolving healthcare practices.

Collaboration drives my work. I partner with healthcare professionals and community leaders to create inclusive networks promoting equitable healthcare. Beyond work, I volunteer for community outreach programs, empowering mothers, and promoting health literacy.

Looking forward, I aspire to pioneer initiatives that bridge healthcare gaps, ensuring every mother receives the support she deserves. My goal is to be a catalyst for positive change in maternity care systems, advocating for lasting improvements.

I’m committed to effecting meaningful change, ensuring every mother embarks on motherhood with the support she deserves.

 

 

 

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.

This will close in 0 seconds

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.

This will close in 0 seconds

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.

This will close in 0 seconds

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.

This will close in 0 seconds

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.

This will close in 0 seconds

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.

This will close in 0 seconds

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.

This will close in 0 seconds