Bethel Doula Service

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

How to access our service

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

What makes us unique

  • Our team is led by a highly experienced former NHS midwife
  • We are experienced in handling complex cases where a woman may be involved with social services and other statutory agencies, experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, trafficking or other emotional and physical trauma
  • We offer 24hr wrap around care
  • We work collaboratively with, but ultimately independently of, all statutory services enabling us to build an impartial and highly trusted rapport with vulnerable service users

Partnering with the NHS

We are proud of our status as a commissioned provider of health and social services for the NHS in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull.

Covering Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell, the women we support are often:

  • Feeling vulnerable and / or alone
  • Very worried about not having even the most basic items needed for their new babies’ arrival
  • Living with complex situations such as physical and / or mental ill health, domestic abuse and having experienced various forms of exploitation
  • Emotionally unstable or low in mood, and are not mentally ready to have their babies
  • In need of support to begin to build their self esteem
  • Lacking some parenting skills and knowledge about how maternity and health services work
  • Faced with severely limited or no financial resources at all
  • Asylum seekers or refugees

 

“The service makes a real difference to families by affording them time and kindness when they most need it, ensuring that they are empowered to make choices that are right for them about their care. Many families leave the service having had a positive experience and with a network of peer support benefiting them for years to come.”

Charlotte Barry

Commissioning Manager, Maternity, Children & Young People's Commissioning Team

I am grateful for the quick response of the Doula who attended and supported me as a birth partner at very short notice, and then the continued care and support I received. 

Service user

Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers. Strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength

Professor Barbara Katz Rothman

The services we offer are twofold:

Practical support

  • Providing advocacy and support when working with statutory services including attendance at Child Protection Conferences, Core Group Meetings, Looked After Child and Child In Need reviews, accompanying to ‘contact’ meetings)
  • Helping service users prepare for the birth of their babies
  • Letting service users know about other organisations that can help them
  • Support throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond
  • Assisting service users on their return home after giving birth
  • Breastfeeding & formula feed support
  • Supplying essential items 

 

Emotional support

  • Empowering women to make the right choices for themselves and their family
  • Meeting with service users during their pregnancies
  • Working through anxiety and PTSD surrounding giving birth
  • Providing support at appointments
  • Speaking up for service users so they can focus on their needs
  • Supporting service users when they are in labour and giving birth
  • Encouraging service users to connect with the wider community by attending postnatal/baby groups)

 

Who can make a referral?

Anyone can refer to us including:

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

 

Other services

 

 

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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