Something interesting is happening in West Birmingham

by | 19/ Apr/ 2025 | Blog | 0 comments

Something interesting is happening in West Birmingham

Become a Bethel West Birmingham Health Champion: Make an Impact, Build Your Future

Have you ever wondered how you could positively influence your community while gaining meaningful career experience? The Bethel West Birmingham Health Champions (BWBHC) programme is an exciting opportunity tailored precisely for that.

What is BWBHC?

Funded by the Fairer Futures Fund, the BWBHC programme, delivered by Bethel Health & Healing Network in collaboration with BMet College, SOS Education, and Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, empowers residents of West Birmingham to become trained Health Champions in maternity and mental health support.

Two Pathways, Unlimited Possibilities

BWBHC offers two distinct, life-changing volunteer pathways:

  • Doula Health Champion: Support expectant mothers throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting stages. Receive accredited training, hands-on experience, and a rewarding path into healthcare and maternity careers.
  • Rapha Health Champion: Provide essential listening support for those facing mental health challenges. Training equips you with advanced listening skills and empathy, opening doors into careers in mental health support, counselling, and social work.

Why Become a Health Champion?

This isn’t just volunteering—it’s a transformative journey:

  • Free Training: Boost your skills with fully-funded professional training.
  • Real Community Impact: Directly improve lives in your own community.
  • Career Pathways: Valuable experience for careers in the NHS, social care, maternity, or counselling.
  • Ongoing Support: Be part of a network with continuous mentorship and guidance.

Am I Eligible?

If you’re over 18, living in West Birmingham, and ready to commit at least six months to this meaningful journey, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

West Birmingham Postcodes:

  • Soho & Jewellery Quarter: B18 
  • Newtown:  B19 
  • Ladywood: B16 
  • Aston: B6 
  • Nechells: B7 
  • Bordesley & Highgate: B12 
  • North Edgbaston: B15 
  • Kingstanding: B44 
  • Oscott: B44 
  • Perry Barr: B42 
  • Handsworth Wood: B20 
  • Birchfield: B6 
  • Lozells: B19 

Join Our Community

Ready to make a difference while building your future? Your community needs champions like you. Explore the BWBHC programme today and start your journey towards becoming a Health Champion.

How To Apply?

If you think you are eligible please apply by clicking on the link below and mention BWBHC in the Experience & Skills box.
For queries, email: calis@bethelnetwork.org.uk

Doula Health Champion: Become a Doula Volunteer – Birmingham, Sandwell & Solihull – Bethel Health & Healing NetworkBethel Health & Healing Network

Rapha Health Champion: Become a Rapha Volunteer and provide emotional support to people in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull

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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