On March 8, 2022, Amma Birth Companions is taking part in the Big Give ‘Women and Girls Match Fund’ campaign, with an ambitious target to raise £20,000 in just one week. All funds raised will go towards the creation of the Amma Access Fund: a new grant designed to make training in birth work more accessible to women from underrepresented groups.
“At Amma, we aim to welcome a wide range of voices and experiences to our team of volunteers, peer supporters, and educators. For pregnant people and parents, having the continuous support of someone with shared cultural identity or lived experience can be incredibly valuable— and can ultimately lead to improved birth and parenting outcomes,” says Sarah Zadik, Amma’s Head of Operations.
“But we also know from experience there are many barriers to accessing training. To date we have struggled to remove these barriers because we lack the dedicated funding to do so.”
Launching on International Women’s Day, the campaign will run until March 15. During this time, all donations will be generously matched up to £10,000 by DCMS’ Tampon Tax Fund—bringing the total campaign target to £20,000.
The Access Fund will be open to Amma’s clients or volunteers who experience inequalities due to race, immigration status, disability, or low income. It will be used to pay course fees for approved training providers or to cover ancillary costs for anyone who wishes to train as an Amma companion.
Ms. Zadik explains, “The Amma Access Fund is more than a scholarship: it’s designed to remove any barriers to accessing quality training in birth work. Successful applicants can also apply for the cost of childcare, transportation, interpreting, and learning resources.”
Former Amma client, Yvonne, says: “I’ve walked this journey. I know what it’s like to give birth in a new country, separated from friends and family. I also know what it’s like to have support from Amma during this time. I now want to become that source of support for someone who needs it.”
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We are proud to share that Amma Birth Companions has been named Charity of the Year (Large) at the Scottish Charity Awards 2026. The award recognises the impact of our work supporting women and families across Glasgow during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, and celebrates the dedication of the staff, volunteers, partners and supporters who make that work possible every day.
This week, racist violence and intimidation have spread across the UK, including here in Glasgow. We are sickened by what is happening in our city. The people responsible are a small minority who do not speak for Glasgow or for Scotland. This is a country where people of all backgrounds live side by side, and where most people believe that individuals and families seeking safety deserve to be welcomed.
Amma has joined a coalition of 36 healthcare bodies and women’s rights organisations in writing to Scotland’s First Minister, calling for the reinstatement of a dedicated Women’s Health Minister following the removal of the role after last month’s elections.
