Every week, we support women and birthing people through pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postnatal period at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH). We frequently see the dedication of the staff who care for them. We also see what happens when a system is pushed beyond its limits. Today’s Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) report speaks to both realities.
We were honoured to recently host a visit from Prof Habib Naqvi MBE, Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, as part of his tour of Scotland to meet with organisations and stakeholders working to tackle health inequities.
In early March 2026, Amma delivered a training workshop to over 100 first-year student midwives at the University of the West of Scotland. The session was focused on improving maternity care for women from migrant backgrounds.
Amma was named ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at NHS Glasgow’s Women and Children’s Directorate Excellence Awards. The award was presented to Amma’s volunteers as a collective, recognising the entire community of people who give their time, skills and care to support women and families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
Many of the parents we support at Amma Birth Companions are about to give birth but don’t have a pram. Having a pram can make such a difference, making it easier for new parents to get out and about and access essential services.
When Aveen arrived in the UK, expecting her first child, she was seeking safety and a fresh start. After fleeing war in her home country, she found herself in Scotland unable to speak or read English. With no friends or family around to support, Aveen felt isolated, anxious, and afraid.
A study conducted by Amma Birth Companions has found instances of discrimination, high rates of intervention, and issues with interpretation and communication that contribute to disparities in perinatal care for women seeking asylum, refugees, and those with varied immigration statuses.
Glasgow-based charity Amma Birth Companions has won a major national award for its work to improve the health, wellbeing, and birthing experiences of pregnant women facing vulnerable circumstances, including individuals seeking asylum and refugees.
Following a rigorous selection and assessment process, Amma Birth Companions was chosen from more than 500 charities across the UK as one of the 10 winners of the 2024 GSK IMPACT Awards, which are delivered in partnership with The King’s Fund. Now in its 27th year, the awards are a mark of excellence in the charity sector, designed to recognise the outstanding work of small and medium-sized charities working to improve people’s health and wellbeing in the UK.
Vote for Amma and Help Us Win a Donation! We are kicking off the New Year with a fantastic opportunity for Amma Birth Companions to
Yesterday, the government’s cruel and unworkable Illegal Migration Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. It will now go to the House of Lords for consideration, where it, if passed, will become law.
The impact of this Bill is truly horrifying. At Amma, we are deeply concerned about the impact it will have on all people seeking safety, but particularly on pregnant women and their children.
The famous Kiltwalk is an epic walking event that happens across Scotland throughout the warmer months, the Glasgow event takes place between Glasgow, Clydebank and Loch Lomond, with three distances to choose from – a Kiltwalk to suit everybody!
The Supernova Run is a stunning 5k route around the Kelpies in Falkirk Helix Park. Runners will make their way around the Kelpies, and be immersed in an enchanting journey of light and sound. This Mother’s Day weekend, join ‘#TeamAmma as we run #milesformamas.
On November 8, a mural exploring Black motherhood was unveiled outside the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow. This mural is a public declaration of a commitment to racial equality and justice, and an invitation to continue to hold this hospital and others like it to account — to co-create a maternity system where everyone receives not just adequate care, but excellent care.
Amma Birth Companions has been awarded Maternity Service of Sanctuary status, recognising its support and welcome for people seeking sanctuary. The title, the first of its kind in Scotland, was awarded by City of Sanctuary UK, a nationally coordinated network of organisations and services, including councils, universities, theatres and libraries that welcome and support refugees and people seeking asylum.
When Angelina Edwin arrived in Glasgow from Sri Lanka, she didn’t know that her experience would see her support new parents as they found their own feet in a new country.
When Morag Riddet discovered Amma, she knew immediately it was an organisation she wanted to be part of. But having missed the first intake of volunteers, the doula, massage therapist and yoga teacher had to wait patiently before coming on board.
A “random” application for an Amma volunteer post through a Glasgow-wide website for volunteering opportunities turned out to be one of the “best decisions ever” for mum-of-one Gemma Dool.
When retired trauma nurse Maureen Gallagher trained as an Amma volunteer she looked around the room and felt like the odd one out.
Without our incredible team of volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to provide our broad range of inclusive and trauma-informed services on such a large scale.
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Amma’s inaugural CEO, Maree Aldam. The appointment of a CEO marks an important milestone for Amma, as we set our sights on opportunities for growth.
