Meet The Team
Founders
Meet the founders of the Support Me Maternal Project!
Managing Director
Anna has lived experience of accessing maternity care when she arrived in the UK from Poland 10 years ago. She has had years of experience working with migrant families to make sure they’re receiving equitable maternity care as well as had previous experience of working as the local MVP project manager for a number of years.
Anna also has a background in education and a Masters in Psychology, having done research on the experiences of the Polish community of maternity care in the UK. She has used her own experience, research and skills towards training on Supporting Migrant Families and co-developed the C.A.R.E Model for Support Me’s Culturally Aligned Practice Training.
Anna has also developed and currently delivers our comprehensive Doula Training Programme where cultural safety is at the core of the curriculum.
As well as her role as the Managing Director of Support Me, Anna is also a local councillor in Newark, working towards making change for her local community.
Finance Director
Manisha has lived experience of perinatal mental health as well as years of experience in supporting and advocating for families during perinatal period; including her work as a Maternity & Neonatal Senior Advocate for the NHS. She is currently focusing on bridging the gap between diverse ethnic communities and NHS maternity care, as well as working towards breaking down barriers in infant loss and perinatal mental health within the Muslim & South Asian communities.
Manisha also has extensive experience in delivering Cultural Safety training for perinatal care which she has used this develop the training on Supporting Muslim Families and co-develop the C.A.R.E Model for Support Me’s Culturally Aligned Practice Training.
As well as her role in Support Me, Manisha is a perinatal and baby loss counsellor. She is also the co-founder of Aasha Training, educating professionals on supporting families through pregnancy after loss as well as culturally aligned baby loss care.
Leadership Team
We have an amazing Leadership Team that helps Support ME grow and develop collaboratively.
Dominika – Leadership Team Chair
Projects: Chair & Doula Programme
Dominika, an academic research scientist by profession, embarked on a new journey following the birth of her daughter. Joining the SupportME team in 2022, she initially served as a facilitator for online Polish Village Milky Morning meetups, later transitioning to the role of Leadership Team chair.
In her capacity as chair, Dominika oversees the Doula Care Programme and manages various projects, from drafting policies to organising monthly Leadership Team meetings and Support ME Community gatherings. She ensures the smooth operation of the Leadership Team, demonstrating
her commitment to supporting the organisation’s mission.
Sylwia
Projects: SME Doula & Social Media Coordinator
Sylwia, a mother of two boys, joined SupportME in 2021 and has played a crucial role as a valued member of the Leadership Team. In her capacity as the Social Media Coordinator, she manages our online presence and engagement. Sylwia also spearheads the coordination of the Conscious Birth Facebook group, providing invaluable support and information to expectant mothers navigating pregnancy and childbirth.
Additionally, she organises weekly live sessions titled “Evening with Doula” aimed at providing insights and guidance to the community. Beyond her administrative duties, Sylwia is a certified doula and hypnobirthing teacher.
Karolina
Projects: Milky Mornings, Birmingham Hub & SME Doula
Karolina is a mother of two girls. Her personal journey into motherhood sparked an interest in breastfeeding support, fuelled by the challenges she encountered during the early stages of nursing her children.
Driven by a desire to assist other mothers, especially those within the Polish community facing language barriers or cultural differences in the UK, Karolina became a breastfeeding peer supporter in 2022 and later trained as a doula through SupportME.
Karolina serves as the Polish Village Milky Mornings coordinator and Birth Clinic coordinator, actively
contributing to the well-being of expectant and new mothers.
Projects: Mindfulness Sessions Facilitator
Ewa, a dedicated member since 2021, joined us after the birth of her son. She began by facilitating
online Polish Village Milky Morning meetups, offering peer breastfeeding support as a passionate psychologist and mindful coach while fostering connections among mothers.
Now a vital part of our
leadership team, Ewa not only spearheads various administrative projects but also dedicates herself to championing maternal mental health through mindful workshops and our wellbeing library.
Marlena
Projects: SME Doula
Marlena, who joined SupportME in 2022, brings a diverse skill set and wealth of experiences to our organisation. Trained as a Doula through Support ME and certified in breastfeeding peer support, Marlena leads live Conscious Birth sessions and facilitates Antenatal classes, empowering expectant parents on their journey.
As a mother of two and a nature enthusiast, Marlena finds joy in capturing the beauty of nature through photography.
