Lifetime of selfless giving honoured by award for Madge Milligan-Green

by | 22/ Oct/ 2021 | Blog, Events, jobs

Bethel CEO Madge Milligan Green with her award trophy from the Association of Jamaican Nationals

We’re so proud of our CEO, Madge Milligan-Green who received the Association of Jamaican National’s Local Hero’s Award 2021.

The award celebrates a lifetime of selfless giving to communities across Birmingham.

Madge began volunteering at 15 as a teaching assistant with the Harambee Association. The Association provided educational activities for her peers to both empower and learn about black history.

Her career as a youth worker began after gaining a professional qualification at De Montford University in Leicester.  After three years with Barnardo’s as a detached youth worker, she joined the Workers Educational Association (WEA). Whilst there, Madge was responsible for delivering high-quality education into the heart of local communities. During her 15 years with the WEA, Madge received a Community Champion Award from the Home Office for a project to get older people online.

Since 2017 Madge has been the CEO of Bethel Health and Healing Network, taking the organisation from strength to strength and steering it through the challenges of COVID-19. During this time, Bethel won several awards, including the Sandwell & West Birmingham CCG Equality Award 2018 and the BVSC Volunteer Team of the Year 2017.

During the pandemic, Madge set up a micro-community project for her neighbours called Move with Madge.  It was an excellent opportunity to bring people together during those difficult few months and keep active! The initiative has grown, and she now runs regular sessions in the park, in the community and online. As the award committee said, “Another great demonstration of Madge’s selfless commitment.”

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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