Many of the individuals we support at Amma face significant structural and healthcare inequalities. We seek to tackle these disparities through advocacy and research.
Experts by Experience Group
This group, comprised of individuals who were previously supported by Amma, plays a crucial role in shaping our advocacy and research priorities. Their insights and lived experiences inform strategic decisions, ensuring our initiatives are grounded in real-world perspectives and address the most pressing issues faced by our clients.
Research & Reports
We have contributed to reports by the Scottish Children and Young People’s Commissioner on the use of hotel accommodation for children and families, and an investigation into children’s rights violations occurring within a Home Office-run mother & baby unit in Glasgow.
We have also worked alongside Durham University’s Infancy & Sleep Centre to explore the challenges faced by new mothers in temporary asylum accommodation, and collaborated with the University of Edinburgh on a breastfeeding research project.
In March 2024, we released our ‘Birth Outcomes & Experiences Report‘, spotlighting the disparities in perinatal care experienced by our clients.
Policy Work
We are actively engaged in several projects with the aim of improving policies and systems that impact the pregnancy, birth, and parenting experiences of individuals from migrant backgrounds and other underserved groups. This includes collaboration with Public Health Scotland, Scottish Children and Young People’s Commissioner, and the Scottish Poverty & Inequality Commission.
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.
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.
