Membership

Please note that for ease of administration (because we are volunteers) membership for all runs from January 1st - December 31st each year. The membership fee is £50.00 per year (with a concessionary membership fee of £25.00 for those who are in receipt of the following state benefits: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Working/Child Tax. Laspe Doula UK members please refer to *note below about rejoining Doula UK).

In January 2004, we introduced a Doula Recognition Process and categories of membership. They are as follows:

1. Recognised Doula
2. Trainee Doula
3. Friend of Doula UK

Please read the following carefully:

There are 3 categories of membership as follows:

1)         Recognised Doula

2)         Trainee Doula

3)         Friend of Doula UK

(1) Recognised Doula – a Doula who is experienced (and who has completed a Doula UK recognised course/s), who has read and signed to say that they agree with Doula UK's Philosophy, Code of Conduct and other Policies/Procedures, and who has been “Recognised” by Doula UK as having attained a particular level of learned skills and experience – membership fee £50.00  In order to become “Recognised”, 4 Client Response forms of birth or postnatal work carried out, using the Doula UK format must be submitted.  On submission of this documentation, the Doula will meet with her assessor for a face to face interview. This is to ensure that the doula is in agreement with our Philosophy and to explore the work already completed. Upon successful completion of the assessment process, the doula will be able to advertise herself as a Doula UK Recognised Doula enjoying the full support of the network - assessment will cost an additional £100.00 to the usual membership fee of £50.00. Assessment costs will be in addition to the £50.00 membership fee. 

*The fees for assessment are £20 per birth report and £20 for the Recognition Interview i.e. £100. Discuss with your AM whether she would prefer you to pay this as you progress or at the end of the process. If you are doing postnatal work as well you may be able to complete together with one interview (£180) otherwise it will be £100 for each process. Please note, if it is necessary for you to undertake more than 4 births to complete your Recognition, your AM will not charge any extra. The doula must work in the UK.

(2) Trainee Doula – a trainee Doula who must have completed a Doula UK recognised course/s (and has supplied Doula UK with copies of references and/or evidence of that training) but who has not yet gained enough work experience to apply to be a "recognised doula".   The Doula will not yet be able to be advertised on the Doula UK website as a Recognised Doula. Her name will appear as ‘trainee doula’ allowing her to offer her services, we suggest, at a reduced fee (expenses only for birth work and reduced hourly rate for postnatal work) until you have fulfilled the necessary criteria for recognition - membership fee £50.00. Assessment costs will be in addition to the £50.00 membership fee.

The fees for assessment are £20 per birth report and £20 for the Recognition Interview i.e. £100. Discuss with your AM whether she would prefer you to pay this as you progress or at the end of the process. If you are doing postnatal work as well you may be able to complete together with one Interview (£180) otherwise it will be £100 for each process. Please note, if it is necessary for you to undertake more than 4 births to complete your Recognition, your AM will not charge any extra. The doula must work in the UK.

Please be made aware that if you have completed a Doula UK Recognised doula training course and give permission on your membership form, your contact information will be added to our website as a Trainee Doula so that parents-to-be in your area can get in touch with you.

However you do need to make contact with your Assessor/Mentor for this to be initiated.

(3) Friend of Doula UK - those who are not working doulas but who are interested in and want to support our network and wish to receive our regular newsletter and e-news can become “Friend of Doula UK” by simply completing the necessary sections of the membership application form and paying a subscription fee of £20.00.  This category of membership may include individuals who would like to become doulas in the future but who, as yet, have no training or experience.  The fee for overseas “Friends” is £25.00 to cover the extra cost of postage for the newsletter.

Depending on what category of membership you hold will determine what other benefits you receive:

If you would like a membership application form sent to you, please email membership@doula.org.uk and a form will be emailed to you (please state if you would prefer it in Word format or pdf Adobe Acrobat format). Alternatively, if you state your name and address, a membership form will be posted to you.

Alternatively, further details about becoming a member of Doula UK and the membership application form along with other relevant Doula UK membership documents can be found here.

Please send your completed membership application form, along with your cheque payable to "Doula UK", and any supporting evidence such as a photocopy of your Doula UK approved doula course certificate and also evidence that you are in receipt of the above state benefits if applying for the concessionary membership fee of £25.00, to our Membership Secretary's address (as per stated at the top of the membership application form).

Similarly, if you join from July onwards (*NEW* members only) you can also opt to pay the pro rota membership fee of £25.00 for the remainder of the year.

*PLEASE NOTE: If you are an existing member renewing late (e.g if you haven’t renewed your membership by 30th January 2010) or you are a lasped member rejoining between 1st July onwards then the full membership fee of £50.00 still applies unless you meet the concession rate criteria.  Details regarding the concession rate criteria can be found in section 4 of the membership form. You will also be required to complete a new member’s application form and submit any supporting evidence such as photocopies of previous relevant course certificate and evidence of being in receipt of certain state benefits as stated in sectin 4 of the membership form.

Please ensure that your name and address are printed clearly on the back of the cheque. Please do not send cash.  Alternatively you can pay by standing order (or set up an electronic payment via your bank).  Doula UK’s bank account details can be located in section 4 of the membership form.

We have Assessor/Mentors around the country and when you have made contact with yours, to begin the process to become a Recognised Doula, she will confirm that your details can be displayed on the website. You will receive details about how to make contact with your Assessor/Mentor once you have joined Doula UK.