Bradford Doulas
May 2017 to April 2024
Acting as a ‘professional friend’, volunteer doulas helped pregnant women and birthing people navigate their pregnancy journey and make positive choices.
They also accompanied them to appointments, provide practical support at the birth, built positive relationships with other services and offered emotional support.
It was delivered as part of the Better Start Bradford programme from 2017 to 2024 by Bradford Doulas (Action for Community)
How it was delivered
Support was provided six weeks before birth, during birth and six weeks afterwards, through home visits, over the phone and via video calls.
Volunteers are trained to become level 3 accredited volunteer doulas. The 13-week course includes antenatal support, working with healthcare professionals, perinatal mental health, breastfeeding and safeguarding. This led to a level 3 qualification (equivalent to 1 A-Level).
Background, impact and findings
Further reading
Download this snapshot of Bradford Doulas, with headline stats, background, impact and learning (PDF).
Hear heartfelt stories from families and volunteers about the positive impact Bradford Doulas has on people’s lives.
The Bradford Doulas support women to make the best choices for themselves and their babies, helping them to achieve a positive birth experience and build their knowledge to enable them to make informed decisions.
Mum of five, Francesca, tells us all about her training to become a Bradford Volunteer Doula, how she loved it so much and why she would willingly do it all over again
Bradford Doulas offer practical and emotional support to pregnant mums six weeks before birth, during labour and six weeks after birth, through trained volunteers.
When mum of three, Donah, spotted an advert for a volunteer doula with the Bradford Doulas, she jumped at the chance. Having had a difficult experience with the birth of her first child she wanted to help other women.
Better Start Bradford is launching its Bradford Doulas project, which offers practical and emotional support to expectant families six weeks before the birth, during labour and six weeks after the birth.