Offering practical and emotional support to pregnant women six weeks before the birth, during labour and six weeks after the birth, through trained volunteers. Doula is the Greek word for wise-woman. Acting as a ‘professional friend’, volunteer doulas help women to make positive choices, accompany them to appointments, provide practical support at the birth, build positive relationships with other services and offer emotional support.
The Bradford Doulas support women to make the best choices for themselves and their babies, helping them to achieve a positive birth experience and building their knowledge to enable them to make informed decisions about childbirth, nutrition and breastfeeding. Support from volunteer doulas can also connect families into network of other support services.
Families are carefully matched with volunteer doulas who are best suited to them (dependent on the woman’s needs, requests and circumstances).
Skills
Candidates who want to become doulas do not need specific qualifications. However, You will need to demonstrate through the application and interview process that you are committed to complete a 13 week Level 3 training course and commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years or support up to 4 births. • All sessions are compulsory to attend with a Level 3 portfolio to complete at the end which consists of essays, practical work and working in pairs and groups to deliver a presentation. • You must be able to use a computer for both portfolio work and virtual online sessions. • Must have passion for working with pregnant families and making a difference to their pregnancy and birthing experiences. • As a volunteer must be able to demonstrate commitment to labour support (i.e. do you have your own family support, can you volunteer whilst working (employer support), can you commit to supporting a labour during day and non work hours etc) All these aspects are covered during the Open Day.
Details
- Accessibility
Physically well to support labour (longest period of 8 hours) - Age restrictions
Must be 18 and over to apply - DBS check required
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Expenses reimbursed
Yes Taxi / bus / refreshments at birth / Child care for training and we give all Doulas a Doula bag with free items to support them in their roles. - Health and Safety Policy
- Inclusive Volunteering Policy
Lone working policy in place - Ongoing support
x2 Monthly CPD / supervision support during your support offered to women. We have a team that offer joint visits and lots of support in referring families / we also give references for employment and FE and develop doulas for further employability. - Training provided
Level 3 Skills & Education (13 week course) - Volunteer induction
Yes part of training - Volunteer Policy
Volunteer Handbook / Lone working policy - Volunteers covered by insurance
Indemnity Insurance covers health and safety of doula volunteering as a doula 'not independently', The Bradford Doulas course does not accredit trainees to become independent doulas. - Written role description
As above
Application Process
- Application Form
- Informal Discussion
- References
When can I volunteer?
Start Date: 02/04/2023
End Date: 30/04/2024
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Afternoon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Evening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Availability Details
All support is offered in the home, at hospital appointments (minimum 2hours per week) Flexible for Volunteers to arrange visits with families 9-5 weekdays or weekends Labour support requires volunteers to be available on-call for 2 weeks near the estimated due date (EDD). Babies can be born at any time of the day night week weekend Some women may choose to birth at home and others at Bradford Maternity. Doulas accompany women as birth partners. - The project have Lone Working Policy in place and security safety processes for when volunteers are out on duty in non working hours. - Volunteer doulas have access to monthly CPD - Volunteers are supported by Bradford Doulas team through every match/family/birth they support - We offer references and UCAS application references after you have volunteered for 2-years or supported up to 3-4 Births.
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