What to know before making a referral

Amma provides person-centred and trauma-informed support during pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period. We assist people who have minimal support during this time and face barriers to accessing information and care.

We always do our best to offer services to everyone who meets our referral criteria, but support is not guaranteed. It is dependent on each person’s circumstances and our current capacity.

Before making a referral, please review what services we offer and read the information below to make sure Amma is the right fit.

If you are unsure whether to refer, or if your referral is urgent, please contact us at:  

0141 471 9799

Essential referral criteria

We can offer support to those who meet all of the following criteria. Individuals must:

  • Live in Glasgow
  • Have very limited or no reliable support from family, a partner, or friends during pregnancy, birth, or the early postnatal period
  • Be experiencing financial difficulties and unable to afford this type of support privately
  • Be at least 20 weeks pregnant or have given birth within the past three weeks

We are not able to:

  • Support people who live outside of Glasgow
  • Provide baby items or equipment only
  • Assist those who already have adequate support networks and no unmet needs
  • Begin support before 20 weeks of pregnancy

Who we typically support

For subject names please contact info@toucan-productions.co.uk or GSKIMPACTAwards@gsk.com

In addition to meeting the essential referral criteria above, we prioritise support for individuals from any background who face one or more of the following additional challenges:

  • Social isolation or lack of community connections, particularly for those new to Glasgow
  • Insecure immigration status or experiences of seeking asylum
  • Limited English proficiency or barriers to understanding and accessing maternity care
  • Histories of trauma, including experiences of gender-based violence, domestic abuse, female genital mutilation (FGM), or trafficking
  • Marginalisation that makes it harder to access or feel suported within mainstream services
  • Difficulties engaging with maternity care due to mental health challenges or other complex circumstances

Request support

If you or someone you’re supporting meets the criteria above, we’d love to hear from you. Please complete the following referral form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Choose this if you are pregnant or have a new baby and want to ask for support for yourself.

Please note: We are currently unable to accept referrals for anyone with an estimated due date before July 31, 2025. If you need to make a referral for someone in an urgent or acutely vulnerable situation, please call 0141 471 9799 to discuss. 

What we offer

At Amma, we’re here to offer free support during pregnancy, birth, and the early stages of parenthood. We aim to help everyone who meets our referral criteria, but support is subject to availability and may vary depending on our capacity and individual circumstances.

We are committed to making our services as accessible and inclusive as possible. This includes providing interpreters and adapting support to meet individual needs wherever we can.

Pregnancy, birth & postnatal companionship

We provide emotional and practical support from trained staff and volunteers before, during, and after birth. This includes:
  • A named Amma companion to provide support during pregnancy and birth
  • Birth preparation and planning
  • Someone to listen, reassure, and advocate where needed
  • Help with practical needs like settling in at home after birth
  • Visits during the early weeks with baby

Antenatal education

We run a welcoming pregnancy group, led by a midwife, to help people feel more prepared for labour, birth, and early parenthood. In these sessions, we offer:
  • Clear, trauma informed and culturally sensitive information about pregnancy, birth, and life with a new baby
  • A chance to ask questions in a safe and supportive space
  • Gentle movement, breathing, and relaxation techniques
  • Opportunities to connect with others going through pregnancy

Peer support

Amma Family is our peer support programme for people who are pregnant or have recently had a baby. We offer:
  • Regular group sessions where parents can meet, talk, and share experiences
  • A safe, non-judgemental space to feel heard and supported
  • A broad range of practical workshops, such as infant first aid, baby wearing, wellbeing focussed sessions
  • Outings in and around Glasgow (e.g. museums and parks)
  • Support from trained peer supporters with lived experience

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