Volunteer Profile: Gemma Dool
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.
Volunteer Profile: Maureen Gallagher
When retired trauma nurse Maureen Gallagher trained as an Amma volunteer she looked around the room and felt like the odd one out.
Volunteers’ Week 2022
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.
Welcome to our new CEO
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.
Introducing the Amma Access Fund
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.
Not in our name: a joint statement on the Borders Bill
In Scotland we have a proud history of protest, of raising our voices against the injustices that blight our society and speaking truth to power.
We – the undersigned – are proud to work in a country that values compassion and fairness. Though across our communities and sectors we work to achieve different things, today we are united in our opposition to the UK Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill.
Becoming an Amma Volunteer: Q&A with Evelyn
Volunteer postnatal companion, Evelyn, spoke to us about the process of applying and training to be an Amma volunteer, giving an insight into what’s involved and why she is motivated to support our clients in their journey to parenthood.
The Gift of Family: Yvonne’s Story
When Yvonne arrived in Glasgow six months pregnant, she felt totally alone. Thankfully, that changed when she connected with Amma Birth Companions. Through Amma, Yvonne
Life after loss: Vongayi’s story
When Vongayi found out she was expecting twins, she never could have anticipated the difficult journey that would unfold. When her son, Rylan, passed away at just 19 days old, Vongayi turned to Amma for support in navigating life after loss.
Mary’s story
It’s so important to have someone by your side. You don’t realise how important it is until you go through it. When I look back — two children, pregnant, nobody to talk to, moods up and down — I’m not so sure I would have survived without Amma. The love Amma is giving… you can’t equate it to money. Someone being there for you in that way imprints on you for life.
Why we disagree with the proposed NICE guidelines to induce labour at 39 weeks
If implemented, the proposed guidance would undoubtedly lead to even higher rates of induction among our client group, who already feel disempowered to make decisions within a cruel and inhumane asylum process. For their sake—and the countless other birthing people this will affect—we call upon NICE to stop pathologising race and retract this proposed guidance.
The forgotten stories of violence against women
The tragic death of Sarah Everard has sparked widespread outrage and debate about violence against women. But why are we only starting to pay attention
Honouring the postpartum mind
Written by Jenny Block In my work as a postpartum doula and mentor to Amma’s postnatal volunteers, I always try to gaze at each family
BBC Alba report on mother & baby unit in Glasgow
On March 25, Angela Maclean from BBC Eorpa reported on the effect of the pandemic on refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow. During the first
What the inhumane ‘New Plan for Immigration’ means for asylum seekers
On March 24, Home Secretary Priti Patel unveiled the government’s ‘New Plan for Immigration’ policy paper. It proposes that only people arriving to the UK
What the 2020 MBRRACE-UK reports reveal about disparities in perinatal care
In December 2020, MBRRACE-UK released its Perinatal Mortality Surveillance Report which showed that Black and Black British, and Asian and Asian British babies are up
What I learned from my Granny about birth: 78 years later
At the birth of my father, Elena Zadik (better known to me as Granny), certainly wasn’t afraid to challenge the medical staff with her progressive
How two mums met through Amma and became friends for life
2020 has been a difficult year. When the business of normal life came to a stop, many people struggled with feelings of isolation—especially those with
Welcome to our new volunteers
In August, we welcomed a new cohort of birth and mother companions to our team. Covid-19 restrictions forced us to get creative with our training
Human trafficking in Scotland: What you need to know
For most people, human trafficking is something only read about in the news or seen in a documentary. But sadly, thousands of women, men, and