Support ME Doula Training
An expansive doula training & mentoring programme which is culturally aligned and trauma-informed created by ethnically diverse doulas!
*** APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR OUR SEPTEMBER 2026 DOULA TRAINING ***
Our next doula training programme begins with a mandatory face-to-face session on Saturday 12 September 2026.
As places are limited, priority is given to our active Support ME CIC volunteers. If you’re interested in becoming part of our community before the course begins, we’d love to welcome you as a volunteer.
This is an extensive programme with a holistic approach, building a community of doulas with regular mentoring and supervision. Culturally-safe and trauma-informed practice is at the core of our curriculum.
The core training is a combination of in-person and online sessions over 6 months and the mentoring for a further 6-months.
As a Support ME Doula, you will train within a community, supporting each other in development and have an opportunity to offer care to families. We encourage and recommend all of our doulas to take an active part in NHS maternity transformation programmes and network within there local MNVP and community.
The aim of our training is to equip you to create and support migrant communities in a way that hasn’t been done before!
Join our Information Session
Want to find out more before applying?
Join our free online Information Session with our trainer, Anna, on:
📅 Monday 10 August 2026
🕡 6:30 pm (UK time)
📍 Zoom (Zoom link will be provided after registration.)
During the session you’ll learn more about the training, placements, funding options, course expectations and have the opportunity to ask any questions.
Funded Places
The full training fee is £1,350 and we offer 2 partial funding options to cover training fees if you’re able to support families who are eligible for the Support ME Doula Care Programme, voluntarily.
Here are the options available which all include a payment plan option (funded places are subject to interview):
0% funding = £1,350
(placement is not required)
25% funding = £1,012.50
(placement is required)
50% funding = £675
(placement is required)
50% Funding: Support 4 clients (min 2 birth clients)
25% Funding: Support 3 clients (min 1 birth client)
Birth client placements include 1 antenatal appointments, birth support and 1 postnatal visit.
Postnatal client placements require 12-15 hours of support (min 4 visits).
Placements can start at the end of the training part of the programme (December/January) and you will have 18 months to complete them.
SEPTEMBER 2026 Cohort Training Dates & Info:
To complete the training, attendance to both face-to-face sessions are mandatory, as well as at least 3 out of 4 online classes.
Date of the last face to face session will be scheduled later with the trainees, to fit most of them.
Face to face meetings address:
NEWARK
Millgate Community Centre2 Pelham St, NG24 4XD
Module 4 (Online):
Tuesday, 15/12/2026
6.30pm – 9.00pm
Module 5 (Online):
Tuesday, 19/01/2027
6.30pm – 9.00pm
Module 6 (In-person):
TBC (Saturday)
You are also required to attend our training on Culturally Aligned Practice which is included in the training fee and are welcome to join our training on Supporting Muslim Families & Caring For Migrant Families (free for doulas, volunteers and trainees). Please click here for available dates:
To secure your place, please complete this booking by paying the deposit below. Any questions, please email info@supportmecic.com.
About Support ME Doula Training
Our core training is designed to develop trauma-informed doulas to provide culturally-safe care, giving them time for reflection before they start practising.
Supervision and mentoring will then be provided by Anna and Manisha to embed learning, increase confidence and give them the skills they need to be competent and successful.
The programme empowers doulas to work with a diverse range of clients. This is the only course that offers their students with awareness around topics like perinatal mental health, birth trauma and cultural safety – enabling them to work with families who require doula care the most.
By the end of this programme you will:
Understand the role & responsibilities of a Support ME Doula
In-depth understanding of birth physiology and optimal birth positioning
Know how to communicate with healthcare professionals and the whole family
Have the skills to support families in different situations inc. emergencies
In-depth understanding of breastfeeding, the 4th trimester and postnatal recovery
Know the importance of being cultural competence and how to work safely with different families
Additional monthly mentoring sessions:
The doula code
Contracts & agreements
Marketing
Directories & associations
Professional development
Doula self-care & resiliance
Meet Your Trainers:
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.
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.
Next Steps
To secure your place, please attend our next information session and click one of the items below to book your place
