Immigration Status

In 2023-24 we saw a decrease in the numbers of clients seeking asylum (from 66% to 51%) and an increase in the numbers of clients on other types of immigration visas (from 19% to 31%). This included many people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), which posed new and complex challenges.

Level of English

In 2023-24, 19% of clients were non-English speakers, facing the most significant communication challenges. 23% had basic English skills, sufficient for simple interactions.

Companionship Outcomes

Companionship Testimonials

"It is great you guys are there for us who do not have families here. It is hard for us, having a baby, being on your own — but to know I have a family in Amma, I felt this so strongly. They give you their ears to listen."

"Postnatally, we had so much support and learning. Teaching me to feed, bathe, dress, nappies, everything! At the last support, my birth companion encouraged me and told me you are doing well, don’t worry. I want to say so many things about [birth companion] but there are not enough words."

"It was like having another mum. [Birth companion] taught me how to be a mother. This made me feel safe and confident that I could do it right. Before this baby I was not sure I could manage."

"Amma has been like a bridge to understanding the whole system, understanding how things work. They assisted with all the info that I had been given all at once. It was difficult to know what is what, but Amma explained things to me, made it clear who and what and how. They helped me sort through it all and it felt much less overwhelming."

"Birth planning helped me focus on the baby, as I was in a hotel and only worrying about that. I could feel relaxed knowing more about what to expect and being able to talk through my choices."

"It has been so long since I laughed, and it has been such a struggle and lonely, but when [birth companion] and I were in the labour ward, we were really laughing. I stopped laughing during contractions and when they stopped, I started laughing again. I really remember this time so well."

"Being a first-time mum and not knowing my left from right and not having my mum here to find out information, Amma gave me this. It was just like my mom and my sisters who might have told me these things. Amazing."

"Amma was with me from the moment my waters broke. [Birth companion] was there with me at the hospital all the time and it felt good. I felt less lonely and like there was a family around me to have the baby with."

"I learned so much, I felt empowered. Even at the birth, I was in charge at all moments. I made those choices based on what I wanted, and I wasn’t afraid!"

Pregnancy Group

In 2023, we made it easier for clients to access antenatal education by introducing a drop-in pregnancy group for those in their second and third trimesters. The transition from structured antenatal classes to an open-format pregnancy group helped to create a relaxed forum where participants could ask questions, share experiences, and receive expert guidance.

Facilitated by midwife, Kate Mackay, and a doula/childbirth educator, Rohese Devereux-Taylor, we held 21 bi-weekly sessions, attended by 51 participants. To ensure accessibility, we provided support with transport and on-site childcare, along with nutritious, warm meals and interpreters as needed.

100% of participants rated the group as 'Excellent', remarking on the supportive atmosphere and the chance to meet and connect with other mums from different backgrounds. The knowledge gained during these sessions helped many participants feel more prepared and empowered during pregnancy and birth.

Pregnancy Group Outcomes

Pregnancy Group Testimonials

"I learned so much, I felt empowered, even at the birth, I was in charge at all moments, I made those choices based on what I wanted, and I wasn’t afraid!"

"The support was so good in the group, you could ask questions and learn new things that you could put to good use in your labour."

“There was a lot of chat about choice, and this increased everyone’s confidence.”

A visually impaired participant appreciated the facilitators' inclusive approach, saying, “I appreciate that the facilitators allowed me to feel things and positions, demonstrated on my body.”

"I particularly enjoyed when we sat in a circle and talked, there are all the other people there and they made us feel like everything was ok -  it felt comforting to be there."

"[Pregnancy group] contributed to me having a peaceful birth."

Last year was a time of growth for our Amma Family peer support programme. With the arrival of our new Peer Support and Learning Manager, Leah Lochan, and the move to a larger office space, we created a vibrant and welcoming hub for families to gather every week.

Throughout the year, nearly 80 clients and their babies joined our weekly peer support group, while many others participated in activities like our gardening club, postnatal fitness classes, social outings, and wellbeing and parenting workshops.

In 2023-24, we saw attendance rates soar, with people attending an average of 16 times — a notable increase from six the previous year.

Amma Family Outcomes

Amma Family Testimonials

"I was on my own in Scotland with no friends or family, and I made friends with a lady who spoke my language. We swapped numbers."

“My baby was happy to see other [babies] like him and was happy playing. Now when I take him to soft play or somewhere, then he plays nice with the other [babies].”

“My kids always look forward to the play and activities. Once my older child sees the building, she’s so excited and cannot wait to go in and play and meet other kids.”

“Child development sessions helped her develop. Baby play classes and the beach trip made her interact with other babies.”

"The playtimes with other kids helped improve her social life. My baby was used to just myself and my husband, but frequenting Amma's events helped her get used to other people's company."

"It is like a family, I am so honoured to be with you, I can still come to the group and this feels good."

In 2023-24, we made significant strides in amplifying the voices of the people we support and challenging disparities in maternity care.

Birth Outcomes & Experiences Report

A key moment in our advocacy work was the release of the Birth Outcomes & Experiences Report in March 2024. This report highlighted the experiences of 100 Amma clients from 2021 and 2022, revealing troubling instances of discrimination, high intervention rates, and issues with communication and interpretation. The findings marked a turning point in our strategic approach to advocacy, leading to constructive meetings with senior NHS staff to address these concerns and work towards reducing health disparities for our community.

Scottish Government's Short Life Working Group (SLWG) on Racialised Inequalities in Maternity Care

Our role in the Scottish Government's Short Life Working Group (SLWG) on Racialised Inequalities in Maternity Care was also pivotal. As co-chairs of the group, we led a series of meetings with clinicians, midwives, professional bodies, national networks, and third-sector organisations from across Scotland. The group’s efforts culminated in an Action Plan outlining key priorities for tackling racialised health inequalities, with a particular focus on interpreting.

Research Collaboration with Durham University

In partnership with Durham University’s Infancy & Sleep Centre, we facilitated research into the challenges faced by expectant and new mothers in hotel accommodation. Their experiences were shared in a report by the Children and Young People Commissioner’s office, which supported a legal challenge on the unsuitability of such housing for babies and children.

We continued our partnership with Dr. Helen Ball and her team at the Durham University’s Infancy & Sleep Centre through a community research project, which sought to investigate the experiences of mothers and babies allocated dispersal accommodation in Glasgow. The study exposed substandard housing that endangers the health and safety of vulnerable families, calling for immediate reforms and urging policymakers to prioritise the safety and dignity of asylum-seeking families. Read the full report.

Experts by Experience

The launch of our Experts by Experience Group, led by our new Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager, Vongayi Mufara, further strengthened our advocacy efforts. This group, made up of more than 20 women who have been supported by Amma, plays a crucial role in shaping our advocacy and research priorities, ensuring that the voices of those who have lived through the challenges we address remain central to our work.

Response to the Illegal Migration Bill

We responded to the passage of the Illegal Migration Bill, voicing our concerns about its impact on people seeking safety, particularly pregnant women and their children. We shared our stance publicly and participated in the Scottish Parliament Equalities, Human Rights & Civil Justice Committee’s inquiry on ‘Asylum Seekers in Scotland,’ contributing to the lived experience engagement session.

Scottish Covid Inquiry

We participated in the Scottish Covid Inquiry, sharing our experiences of supporting mothers and babies during the pandemic, with a particular focus on our work supporting clients in the Mears' mother and baby unit. Our testimony highlighted the unique challenges faced by asylum-seeking pregnant women and new mothers in the context of the pandemic. By sharing these insights, we aimed to shed light on the specific needs of this vulnerable group during a time of crisis, advocating for improved care and support in future public health emergencies.

Infant Feeding Project with the University of Edinburgh

In October 2023, we worked alongside anthropologists from the University of Edinburgh (Dr. Lucy Lowe and Dr. Anna Beesley) to create 'Nurture Together' — a project aimed at understanding and filling the gaps in mainstream breastfeeding support for people with experiences of migration. Together with a group of experts by experience, (former Amma service users) — and with guidance from a steering group of individuals with professional and lived expertise — the Nurture Together team created culturally sensitive and trauma-informed breastfeeding resources and an online peer support group. Find out more.

Workshops, Presentations and Training

• We delivered a workshop at the Scottish Perinatal Network’s “Scottish Family Integrated Care” event in Dundee.
• We were commissioned to create training materials for Public Health Scotland, focussing on the experience of those with ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ in accessing healthcare.
• We presented to around 200 student midwives at the International Day of the Midwife event at the University of the West of Scotland.
• We presented at a University of Edinburgh event on global perspectives of minoritised women in maternity care.
• We ran a workshop for the Poverty and Inequality Commission with around 15 clients, looking at the experience of poverty for people with refugees, asylum seeker or ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ status.
• We delivered a lecture to students at Glasgow University.
• The University of Winnipeg (Canada) commissioned us to review their indigenous doula training programme.
• We delivered a workshop at Sands Bereavement Care Pathway event with NHS from across Scotland around making services accessible.

In 2023-24, we continued to strengthen our volunteer programme, building a supportive and inclusive environment for both our clients and the people who give their time to support them. We focused on the following key areas:

Enhancing Volunteer Training and Support

We further developed our training and shadowing programme for companion volunteers, ensuring they feel confident and prepared to support our clients. We also introduced more flexible ways for volunteers to contribute, accommodating diverse schedules and personal commitments. These changes have made it easier to volunteer while still maintaining high standards of care for the people we support.

Expanding Volunteer Roles

In addition to companion volunteers, we focused on developing, recruiting, and training for other vital roles, including Group Supporters, Language Supporters, Drivers, and Peer Supporters. Each role was designed with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, allowing a wider range of people to contribute their skills and experiences to our work.

Promoting Accessibility and Diversity

At the heart of these changes is our commitment to creating an accessible and meaningful volunteer experience. By offering varied roles and flexible opportunities, we aim to attract volunteers from all walks of life, ensuring that our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve.

Volunteering Highlights

• 30-70 hours of induction training were delivered to each new volunteer, depending on the role
• We welcomed more than 30 new companion volunteers to the team
• 100% new volunteers positively rated their induction training as either 'Excellent' or 'Good'
• 90% of volunteers praised supervision for providing a safe, supportive space to reflect on cases and learn from others

Volunteering Testimonials

"The relaxed, safe, and honest environment within a group [training] setting built my confidence."

"I’ve learned so much about different cultures and had excellent relationships with all of my clients."

"I always learn something from hearing others talk about their experiences [in supervision]."

"Someone was always on the other side of the phone. I felt confident and reassured about the constant availability of support."

"It was nice that a staff member checked in with me as well as the more experienced volunteer, so I never felt alone."

"It’s turned out to be the incredible sisterhood and support."

"It’s an absolute honour to attend a birth and support vulnerable clients at a sacred time in their life."

Our Supporters

Our work is enabled by the generosity of our supporters. We would like to recognise the following funders and in-kind donors for the contributions they made to Amma in 2023-24.

Major Donors & Grant Makers

AB Charitable Trust
Cattanach
Craignish Trust
Endrick Trust
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity
Good Things Foundation
Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust
Henry Smith Charity
HFD Charitable Foundation
Mental Health Foundation
Mrs MA Lascalles Charitable Trust
National Lottery Community Fund
Robertson Trust
Rosa Voices from the Frontline
Scottish Government – CYPFAL Third Sector Fund
Scottish Government – Glasgow Wellbeing Fund
Scottish Government – PIMH Fund
Scottish Government – Volunteering Support Fund
Scottish Government – Wellbeing for Longer in Glasgow Fund
Scottish Refugee Council Refugee Festival Scotland
St James’ Place Charitable Foundation
Symondson Foundation
The Big Give
The Blue Thread
The Clothworkers Foundation 
The Rayne Foundation
The Scottish Refugee Council – Reaching New Scots Fund
Trades House of Glasgow 
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation 
University of Durham 
Women’s Fund for Scotland

In-Kind Supporters

Celeste Williams Massage
Connecting Scotland
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity
Hey Girls
Itison
Lush
Mighty Mama Coach
National Records of Scotland
Soundplay
SQA
Stuart Wallace Photography
Superdrug
The Osteopaths
The Stand
Three
Totter + Tumble

We are also incredibly grateful for the generous donations we have received from both individuals and businesses. Your contributions help us create even greater impact for the people we support. View our most recent financial report.

Fundraising & Volunteering

From the generosity of donors to the dedication of fundraisers and volunteers, your support over the past year made a profound impact on the lives of the families we serve. Here are some highlights.

Kiltwalk: Our team of walkers took on the 23-mile Kiltwalk and raised an impressive £1763. Their hard work and the generosity of their sponsors made a real difference.

Big Give Campaign: October’s Big Give fundraising campaign was a huge success, raising a phenomenal £15,000, which included £800 from a brilliant comedy night. These funds were instrumental in helping us expand our support services.

Corporate Volunteers: Volunteers from NatWest generously gave their time to help us produce herbal products. Their efforts strengthened our offerings and added a personal touch to our products.

Glasgow Spirit of Christmas: Through Spirit of Christmas donations, we distributed 130 presents to families, spreading joy over the festive season.

Herbal Product Sales: Our stalls and online shop saw a fantastic uptick in sales throughout the year. Every purchase contributed to the growth of our services and reach.

Bucket Collection: A team of volunteers did a bucket collection on a football match day, raising £780.

Partnerships

Martha's Mammies: We set up a partnership with Martha’s Mammies in order to equip the team to support women who have had a child removed. We put together a programme and jointly participated in training from subject experts in disenfranchised loss, substance use and pregnancy and social work child protection processes. We are now accepting referrals from Martha's Mammies for companionship support and look forward to the ongoing development of this partnership.

Merry Go Round: Amma clients benefit from Merry Go Round’s Carousel Programme, which distributes free clothes and supplies for families and children up to 12 months. Through this partnership, Amma’s companionship clients can receive a tailored pack of essential clothes, toys and equipment that they need to prepare for their baby’s arrival.

Apparel Xchange: Amma families with older children can also be referred to Apparel Xchange who make up bespoke clothing packs, including school uniform, sportswear and seasonal essentials.

PEEK: We partnered with PEEK on our gardening project over the summer months. This has led to further co-working, with Amma families being able to access other PEEK services in their local community in Glasgow’s East End.

The Washhouse Garden: The team at the Washhouse Garden have hosted Amma’s gardening project for the past two years. Their beautiful urban garden is a haven of plants, flowers and edible delights, and the team there has welcomed Amma families to learn about horticulture and food growing over the summer months.

Looking Ahead

In the year ahead, we are committed to the following goals across each of our five workstreams:

Perinatal companionship and information

• Continue to develop and improve our companionship service to meet increasing demand, supporting around 200 parents throughout the year.
• Analyse referrals, consult with referrers and review intake processes and criteria, to maximise impact and ensure we are prioritising those most in need.
• Develop and strengthen our partnership with Martha’s Mammies to support women who have had a child removed from their care.
• Continue providing regular group antenatal classes delivered by expert practitioners and seek funding to expand provision.
• Review our Parent Guide and other resources in line with service developments and updated information.

Peer support and learning

• Continue providing weekly peer support group activities and regular trips and events, driven by the lived expertise of the group, in a way that’s responsive to the changing needs and demographics of our clients.
• Develop a clearer framework for the personal and professional development of peer support volunteers, focusing on education and skills development.
• Continue to recruit and train volunteer peer supporters, to increase diversity within this team.
• Analyse our client intake process for this service, to address barriers and increase opportunities for participation.
• Develop new external partnerships to create more opportunities for the families we support, providing links to alternative community activities available to families with over 2s.

Volunteering, training and development

• Engage lived expertise to co-design flexible and varied volunteer roles that suit a range of volunteers’ needs.
• Formalise an inclusive volunteering plan that aims to create equal and diverse access to the personal and social benefits of volunteering at Amma.
• Recruit 30 new companion volunteers throughout the year and improve volunteer retention by 20%.
• Implement a new volunteer management system to increase impact, engagement and retention.
• Develop and integrate our 'Nurture Together' peer-led infant feeding support programme into existing services, focusing on promoting, supporting, and sustaining infant feeding choices, training peer supporters, and providing resources to healthcare professionals.
• Explore opportunities and methods to deliver and monetise training to external stakeholders.

Advocacy, research & community engagement

• Building on our 2024 Birth Outcomes & Experiences Report, further develop our advocacy approach to address maternal health disparities.
• Embed expertise by experience across all areas of our work by creating meaningful opportunities for participation and co-production and amplifying voices and insights to contribute to broader systemic change.
• Develop and deepen collaborations with third sector organisations, government, NHS, academics and others, to contribute to systemic improvements in local and national policies or programmes aimed at reducing health inequalities and addressing social determinants of health.
• Expand awareness of our work within, and actively engage with, diverse local communities.
• Increase NHS stakeholder knowledge on perinatal health inequalities for migrant and minoritised women and babies, through training and awareness raising.

Building a strong and sustainable organisation

• Develop our proactive fundraising approach, growing diverse and stable funding streams for future years, with a focus on increasing unrestricted funding and growing our reserves.
• Continue to develop our strategic plan, through co-production with staff, board, volunteers, clients and external stakeholders, ensuring an effective annual work plan that aligns with our long-term objectives.
• Continue to really harness data in improve services and effectively demonstrating and communicating our impact.
• Continue to develop our approach to equity and inclusion by actively tackling barriers, understanding the impact of experience and identity, and fostering a culture that values and respects diverse perspectives.

Thank you for supporting our work! Together, we can create even more impact in the year ahead.