Goodwin Replica Volunteer Doula Service

1. Goodwin Replica Volunteer Doula Service

2. WHAT ARE DOULAS? • Doula is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women through pregnancy and childbirth. • She offers no clinical skills and does not perform any medical tasks. • Her sole function is to give continuous emotional and physical support, and facilitate communication between the woman, her partner and other professionals

4. The Idea!

5. The Benefits • Mum & Baby – antenatal, birth and postnatal support, lower incidence of intervention throughout birth, higher breastfeeding rates, lower incidence of isolation, positive, empowered birth experience, support with smoking cessation, signposting to other agencies • Volunteers – high quality accredited training, intensive support, feel good factor associated with volunteering and supporting others, pathway to higher education and employment, new friendships and networks • Society – health & well being of community, development of community skills base, improving employment prospects, saving of public money, community cohesion • NHS/LA’s – cost savings, volunteers into midwifery, increased links with third sector, positive experiences for staff

7. The Volunteers Training • 4 x 3 hour sessions • Visits local hospital/birth centre, meet midwives and visit birthing rooms • Sessions covering ante & post natal role and birth, cultural diversity, communication skills, etc • 1 day Child Protection Level 1 • 1 day Domestic Violence Awareness • 2 day preparing for birth course • 2 day breastfeeding course • Accredited to Levels 2 and 3 with OCN (9 credits in total) • Reflective, Interactive, Ongoing

8. Matching Process • Expectant mums referred via midwives, interpreters, social services, TPSS, etc • We support mums from all areas of the city • Expectant mums will require a variety of forms of support according to individual situation • Matching done according to personality, location, background & availability

10. Volunteer Support • Volunteer expenses and childcare for training and volunteering • Supervision with staff team via phone and 121’s • Monthly Training/Support Group Meetings – problem sharing and solving • Ongoing training as identified • Mobile phone for contact with expectant mum and Project Team

11. Results 08-09 • 100 women supported • 143 referrals received • C section rate 20% (LR 24.5%)(09 to date 16%) • Epidural rate 23% (LR 34%) (09 22%) • Attended by doulas 61% (09 65%) • BF initiate rate 69% (LR 52%) (09 85%) • BF 6 weeks rate 37% (LR approx 22%)(09 55%) • Since beginning of project : • Trained 99 Volunteers • 26 Volunteers into University • 12 Vols into employment • 45 currently active

13. The Future in Hull • Funding confirmed until 2013 via NHS Hull and 2011 Hull City Council via Early Years fund • Covering all areas of the city, split by locality • Strong multi-agency working with all agencies involved in family support • Recruit volunteers twice a year – April and October

14. The Replication Package • Consultancy expertise and time for 1 year, HR support – recruitment, induction, train the trainer, marketing, promotional material and support • Volunteer recruitment, training first cohort, access to OCN accredited training materials • Use of Goodwin Volunteer Doula Service Manual • Access to and use of Goodwin VDS Database and website • Initial years membership to emerging national network

15. Targets in Hull 2009-10 • Support approx 100 women & families through pregnancy, childbirth and for 6 weeks postnatally • 75% of women supported to initiate breastfeeding • 36% of women to continue breastfeeding until the baby is 6 weeks old • Recruit 30 and engage 55 volunteer doulas per year across city • Support 45% of volunteers to progress on to education or employment • Signpost families on to other supporting agencies as part of exit route • Liaise closely with CC staff, NHS Hull employees and maternity services by attending multiagency steering groups in relation to early years and maternity services • Monitor data and report back to steering group and funders • Raise awareness of benefits of natural birth / breastfeeding across city

16. Example Budgets • Start up year in Hull, pt project co-ordinator and 16 volunteers, in one area of Hull = £30,000 • 2009 in Hull, 4.5 members of staff, 30 new volunteers a year, supporting 100 families = £142,000 • In kind rent/rates from children’s centres

17. Key Drivers of a Volunteer Doula Service • National Service Framework • Maternity Matters • Child Health Promotion Programme • World Class Commissioning • Every Child Matters • Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures • Our Health, Our Care, Our Say

18. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIMEwww.goodwindoulas.orghbarnes@goodwin-centre.orgTel: 01482 485914