Insight, news and stories

Superstar volunteer

Superstar volunteer

Rachel makes emergency trip to help a young mum At short notice, volunteer Rachel Nolan delivered much needed items to an 18-year-old mother in Birmingham, who we'll call Angela. Angela's...

read more
Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Playgroup for mums in Ladywood Our Lunch, Learn & Play group is being held at Ladywood Leisure Centre. The group meets most Wednesdays from 10.30am until 1pm. It offers a range of free...

read more
Parenting class at Ladywood Leisure Centre

Parenting class at Ladywood Leisure Centre

We’ve partnered with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to deliver culturally sensitive parenting classes at Ladywood Leisure Centre. The classes, held over three weeks, will give future mums...

read more
Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Mother and Baby December Get Together

We had a great time at Ladywood Leisure Centre in December celebrating Christmas with our service users and their families. Games for the children were provided by Dionne, a volunteer with Bethel....

read more
Pears Foundation Christmas Gift

Pears Foundation Christmas Gift

Christmas has come early at Bethel thanks to the Pears Foundation. Each year the Foundation’s trustees identify a number of small, community-based organisations to receive a surprise seasonal boost...

read more
No cost giving this Christmas

No cost giving this Christmas

Christmas shopping? Sign up for these schemes, and businesses like Amazon, John Lewis and many others will give a donation to Bethel at no cost to you. It’s really simple to set up. Just follow...

read more
Bethel at the Villa

Bethel at the Villa

We’ve partnered with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to deliver culturally sensitive parenting classes at Aston Villa. The classes which take place over 3 weeks are designed to give mums and...

read more
Thanks to Asda

Thanks to Asda

Back together thanks to Asda and Ladywood Leisure Centre Our Mother and Baby Group is being held in person again with a new home at Ladywood Leisure Centre and funding from Asda. Tracey, the...

read more
Superstar volunteer

Superstar volunteer

Rachel makes emergency trip to help a young mum At short notice, volunteer Rachel Nolan delivered much needed items to an 18-year-old mother in Birmingham, who we'll call Angela. Angela's...

read more
Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Playgroup for mums in Ladywood Our Lunch, Learn & Play group is being held at Ladywood Leisure Centre. The group meets most Wednesdays from 10.30am until 1pm. It offers a range of free...

read more
Parenting class at Ladywood Leisure Centre

Parenting class at Ladywood Leisure Centre

We’ve partnered with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to deliver culturally sensitive parenting classes at Ladywood Leisure Centre. The classes, held over three weeks, will give future mums...

read more
Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Mother and Baby December Get Together

We had a great time at Ladywood Leisure Centre in December celebrating Christmas with our service users and their families. Games for the children were provided by Dionne, a volunteer with Bethel....

read more
Pears Foundation Christmas Gift

Pears Foundation Christmas Gift

Christmas has come early at Bethel thanks to the Pears Foundation. Each year the Foundation’s trustees identify a number of small, community-based organisations to receive a surprise seasonal boost...

read more
No cost giving this Christmas

No cost giving this Christmas

Christmas shopping? Sign up for these schemes, and businesses like Amazon, John Lewis and many others will give a donation to Bethel at no cost to you. It’s really simple to set up. Just follow...

read more
Bethel at the Villa

Bethel at the Villa

We’ve partnered with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to deliver culturally sensitive parenting classes at Aston Villa. The classes which take place over 3 weeks are designed to give mums and...

read more
Thanks to Asda

Thanks to Asda

Back together thanks to Asda and Ladywood Leisure Centre Our Mother and Baby Group is being held in person again with a new home at Ladywood Leisure Centre and funding from Asda. Tracey, the...

read more
Superstar volunteer

Superstar volunteer

Rachel makes emergency trip to help a young mum At short notice, volunteer Rachel Nolan delivered much needed items to an 18-year-old mother in Birmingham, who we'll call Angela. Angela's...

read more
Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Playgroup for mums in Ladywood Our Lunch, Learn & Play group is being held at Ladywood Leisure Centre. The group meets most Wednesdays from 10.30am until 1pm. It offers a range of free...

read more
Parenting class at Ladywood Leisure Centre

Parenting class at Ladywood Leisure Centre

We’ve partnered with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to deliver culturally sensitive parenting classes at Ladywood Leisure Centre. The classes, held over three weeks, will give future mums...

read more
Lunch, Learn & Play Group

Mother and Baby December Get Together

We had a great time at Ladywood Leisure Centre in December celebrating Christmas with our service users and their families. Games for the children were provided by Dionne, a volunteer with Bethel....

read more
Pears Foundation Christmas Gift

Pears Foundation Christmas Gift

Christmas has come early at Bethel thanks to the Pears Foundation. Each year the Foundation’s trustees identify a number of small, community-based organisations to receive a surprise seasonal boost...

read more
No cost giving this Christmas

No cost giving this Christmas

Christmas shopping? Sign up for these schemes, and businesses like Amazon, John Lewis and many others will give a donation to Bethel at no cost to you. It’s really simple to set up. Just follow...

read more
Bethel at the Villa

Bethel at the Villa

We’ve partnered with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to deliver culturally sensitive parenting classes at Aston Villa. The classes which take place over 3 weeks are designed to give mums and...

read more
Thanks to Asda

Thanks to Asda

Back together thanks to Asda and Ladywood Leisure Centre Our Mother and Baby Group is being held in person again with a new home at Ladywood Leisure Centre and funding from Asda. Tracey, the...

read more

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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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