Support ME Doula Training

An expansive doula training & mentoring programme which is culturally inclusive and trauma-informed created by ethnically diverse doulas!

*** Next Upcoming Training is September 2024 ***

This is an extensive programme with a holistic approach, building a community of doulas with regular mentoring and supervision. Our training is a combination of in-person and online sessions over 4-6 months and mentoring for a further 6-months. Culturally-safe and trauma-informed practice is at the core of our curriculum. 

Support ME Doulas will train within a community, whilst offering care to families and supporting each other at work and in development. Our doulas are also required to continue learning and take an active part in NHS maternity transformation programmes and network within there local community.

Our doulas will create and support their communities in a way that hasn’t been done before!

Support ME Doula Training UK

About Support ME Doula Training

Our training is designed to develop trauma-informed doulas to provide culturally-safe care, over 4 – 6 months, 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.  

Support ME Doula Training UK

Funded Applications

We offer partial funding to cover training fees if you’re able to support families who are eligible for the Support ME Doula Care Programme, voluntarily.  The options and requirements for funding are:

50% Funding: Option 1 = 3 x birth clients and 1 x postnatal client

50% Funding: Option 2 = 2 x birth clients and 3 x postnatal clients

25% Funding: Option 1 = 2 x birth clients and 1 x postnatal client

25% Funding: Option 2 = 1 x birth clients and 3 x postnatal clients

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 start at the end of the training part of the programme and you will have 18 months to complete them.

Next Steps

Our Doula Training Programme is delivered over 4-6 months and consists of:

➡️ 2 x mandatory face-to-face training days, usually on a weekend

➡️ 4 x mandatory online training sessions

Followed by:

➡️ 6 x online monthly mentoring sessions whilst starting to work with families

Doulas will also receive consistent support from each other, encouraging a collaborative approach – which is one of the core values of the Support ME Doulas.

Support ME Doulas support each other, share their journey and learn from one another as well as more experienced doulas in the team. This is not virtual doula sisterhood, it is not just a marketing slogan. We are sisters, not a competition.

Start date: September 2024

Face-to-face Location: (TBC)

Application process: To secure your spot, please complete the application form below by 30th June 2024

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 teachers:

Founder of Support ME - Anna Rutkowska

ANNA RUTKOWSKA

Before I became a doula in 2017 I was a perinatal and breastfeeding supporter at the local children’s centre. I was running a support group for breastfeeding mothers there for a year.

I have a BA in Education, and I am a Level 5 Nutritional Therapist. I have been a doula since 2017 and I work in and around the Midlands, UK. I trained with Spinning Babies in 2019.

I am trained in a 3 step rewind method to work with clients who hold a birth trauma or any other perinatal trauma. I also trained with Make Birth Better who are specialising in Birth Trauma and I finished the Perinatal Mental Health Illness, Risk, Care and Treatment course (Tavistock and Portman NHS).

I am currently studying MSc Psychology at the University of Lincoln and my focus is on perinatal mental health, birth trauma and birthright. My MSc thesis explores the maternity care experiences of migrant women who gave birth in the UK in the last 2 years, focusing on language barrier impact.

Since 2017 I worked with more than 150 Polish families in the UK. I organise polish antenatal classes in different locations in the UK and other courses for parents (in Polish). In 2020 I trained the first cohort of doulas and I am mentoring new doulas who are just starting their journey. I am also a DOULA UK mentor and Community Coordinator running monthly Doula Circles. DOULA UK is the largest UK doula association, funded in 2011. I am also DOULA’s UK  representative in European Doula Network, an organization that brings together over 45 associations across Europe and beyond.

MANISHA SHETH

I’m an Indian Muslim and a mum of 3 boys. Before I became a part of the birth and perinatal world, I had a really difficult time with all of my pregnancies as well as experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety during and after my third. 

This led to me training as a doula with Every Birth Matters, an Antenatal Teacher with The Real Birth Company and a Hypnobirthing teacher with KGH. 

Founder of Support ME - Manisha Sheth

Over the years, I have also done additional training in Aromatherapy for Childbirth, Postnatal Depression, Domestic Abuse, 3-Step Rewind Birth Trauma Release and Perinatal Mental Health Illness, Risk, Care and Treatment course (Tavistock and Portman NHS).

I specialise in supporting families through the postnatal period and with emotional wellbeing. I now work with families as a Perinatal Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner, helping them manage perinatal anxiety and their emotional wellbeing; especially those who are pregnant after loss or infertility.

Within Support ME, I have started the Muslim Village project, offering pregnancy, birth and postnatal support to the Muslim community.

I’m now a counsellor with Zephyr’s – a charity that supports families who’ve experienced infant loss, an NHS Maternity & Neonatal Independent Senior Advicate and a cultural safety trainer for maternity staff.

Fees & Application

Full Training Fee: £1,300 

Sept 2024 Application Deadline: 30th June

If you’d like to apply, complete the form below and we will be in touch with more info about the programme: