Spotlight on the Bethel Doula Service

by | 19/ Jul/ 2021 | Blog

Woman holding the hand of her new born child

Our doula service provides practical and emotional support to vulnerable and isolated pregnant women during and after their pregnancies.

Our services users come from a range of backgrounds and can be:

  • Vulnerable local women, asylum seekers or refugees
  • Feeling vulnerable and/or alone
  • Suffering poor mental health (anxiety, low mood, depression)
  • Suffering limited or no financial resources
  • Living with complex situations (illness. homelessness, domestic abuse)
  • Affected by adverse childhood events
  • Lacking parenting skills

The services we offer are twofold:

Practical support

  • Supporting services users during labour and childbirth
  • Assisting women on their return home after childbirth
  • Providing breastfeeding support
  • Assisting in the preparation of formula feeds

Emotional support

  • Meeting with service users during their pregnancies
  • Providing support at appointments
  • Speaking up for service users so they can focus on their needs
  • Encouraging service users to connect with the wider community (e.g. attending postnatal/baby groups)

Who can make a referral?

  • Service users themselves
  • Friends/family
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Social workers
  • Domestic abuse support services
  • Housing associations
  • Sexual health organisations
  • West Midlands Police
  • Refugee support services

She still helps and encourages me. She has got me clothes for me and my baby. She introduced me to a Mother and Baby group in my area and spent time with me there until I got settled. Her phone call cheers me up. I like her. I like her a lot. Doula service user

To refer yourself or a mum to our service, just complete this form or call us on 07881 300533.

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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