List of Doula UK Approved Courses

Side By Side Doulas

Details:

Every Birth Matters

Details:

This preparation course will lay the foundations for you to work competently as a Birth and/or Postnatal doula.  Bringing the knowledge and skills you have now, time will be spent exploring different topics to begin building the foundations for your work as birth and postnatal doula. This is an opportunity for you to understand the role of a doula, how you can work as a doula and for you to begin thinking about what you can offer women/pregnant people and their family depending on their needs.  We will explore working alongside healthcare professionals to enhance the care given to the birthing people. I have been teaching and supporting families for over fifteen years and so I have designed this course to take us through a range of activities that will meet your learning needs. 

All you need to do is be willing, open minded and have a passion for wanting to nurture women/pregnant people and their families through pregnancy, labour and parenting. Be prepared to go on a journey of discovery and self-actualisation. We create a safe space that immediately gets you interacting and acknowledging the amazing work Doulas do.

What is the course structure?

Pre-course Learning ~ This gives you the opportunity for some reflective practice, and to
build on your knowledge and skills with a fully comprehensive assignment that consists of
questions that will enhance your learning experience and prepare you with prior knowledge for the workshops.  This research task also allows you to practice your research skills.  You will have access to our DOULA MOODLE – this will give you access to a range of resources to use as part of this preparation.

Prior to the online course only there will be an online discussion meet up where we can introduce ourselves, and discuss the course details. You will also be invited to join your cohort doula Whatsapp group.

Three day workshop ~ The workshop is action packed with a range of activities where you will have time to think and reflect as well as work with the other supportive delegates discussing, reflecting, questioning and exploring the birthing world and why women/pregnant people want to hire a doula? The course content covers the Doula UK curriculum and more using a range of learning activities to spark interest and curiosity. You will have the opportunity to write a learning journal, set action points for your journey and discuss your mentoring opportunities as the course finishes. We now offer a range of workshop styles in person and online, this blended learning approach has been successful for people’s journeys into becoming a doula. This course requires you to an active participant in your doula learning journey.  All delegates are invited to attend an extended session with a practising midwife to learn more about midwifery clinical skills and observations. 

Some topics we cover: language, consent, inclusive practice, active birth, biomechanics, practical and emotional support, hormones, needs of the family, infant feeding, postnatal care, stages of labour, comfort & pain relief, still birth, human rights, partners, midwives & doulas plus much more……  

Post coursework ~ After three full days of exploration and self-discovery, you might want to take a few days to digest. Then when you are ready you can begin your post course assignments. There are seven tasks altogether which I encourage you to take time digesting and preparing. These assignments will give you further self-acknowledgement about how you can work as a doula as well as expanding further on the birth world that surrounds you. It creates an opportunity for networking and beginning your work with your first client.  Every delegate will receive feedback upon completion of the course along with their certificate of completion. 

Mentoring ~ A group peer support session will be offered as a one off online session 4 weeks after the course workshops. This can be used as an opportunity for us to meet up again, discuss your post coursework, Insurance, Mentoring, Joining Doula UK and any next steps for you. 

Mentoring Programme ~ Every Birth Matters offers a mentoring programme to support you on your journey as you begin working as a doula. Our mentoring programme consists of Group Peer Mentoring sessions and One to One where you debrief your experiences and discuss your business/personal development.  This model ensures that you have consistent support throughout your doulaing journey from other doulas who are experiencing starting their business, and that you obtain the support for your own personal reflective journey. You also have access to many exclusive resources to support you building your doula profile. 

Delivery – The course is offered online and in person, I use an approach of blended learning to meet all learning styles. Please see website for course availability.

What will you receive?

• Approved Course that meets the core curriculum content for Doula UK membership.
• Comprehensive Resource File.
• Access to DOULA MOODLE inclusive of pre course materials.
• Access to various E-books to further enhance you knowledge.
• Access to E-Learning courses to further enhance your development.
• Doula E-Resources online via the Every Birth Matters website.
• Access to additional CPD learning workshops (fees may apply)
• Access to additional online learning/training videos. 
• Online support in a private Every Birth Matters Social Media Forum with other doulas and educators that have trained with me.
• Recommended reading/website/video list.
• Comprehensive student discount on insurance so you can begin your practice.
• Doula Directory Listing (name, business name, email, phone number and website)
• Discount vouchers from other partnering services.
• Access to purchase a range of additional doula resources (additional cost).
• Bespoke mentoring programme to support and empower your working doula journey (additional fees apply).

If you have any questions please do contact me. 

Enrolment is via the website. 

You can also find me on Instagram @katy_every_birth_matters

If you have attended the Doula UK Introduction day please send confirmation of this on your booking form, the fee will then be deducted from your course fee.

Knowledge – Confidence – Empower

NCT Doula

Details:

Details:

The NCT Doula programme enables successful candidates to practice as NCT Doulas. NCT Doulas work as independent practitioners. Although they are part of the NCT family and featured on the website, they book her own clients and set their own fees.

The nine-month long training course is made up of two modules:

• Dimensions of the role of the doula
• Realising the role of the doula.

It involves;

• four weekend training sessions in Worcester
• monthly telephone tutorials
• 24-hour midwifery observation
• video and role play learning and reflection
• a supervised birth
• support from other doulas.

More about the training;

• The tutors are experienced doulas and NCT practitioners
• There are three summative assessments (an essay, an interactive session and accompanying information sheet)
• The training is highly experiential, and sessions are held in a mock hospital ward
• There are lots of clinical materials that students get a chance to familiarise themselves with. There is also access to the University’s library and other facilities.

The NCT Doula modules are currently offered as Individual Modules at Level 5 as part of the Foundation Degree programme in partnership with the University of Worcester.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded your NCT License to Practice

As an NCT Doula there is ongoing support in the form of supervision, WhatsApp groups, CPD sessions, and a personalised NCT webpage.

This training route is currently being reviewed for 2023 onwards, please contact ncttrainingenquiry@nct.org.uk for further details.

Younique Postnatal

Details:

• 5 day face to face courses offered in London and West Sussex, facilitated by two experienced postnatal doulas in small groups
• A virtual course offered with self-directed study via an online course and 12 Zoom sessions over 12 weeks
• Self-directed work before and after the course to include reflection, reading and research
• Time to debrief and explore your own birth, postnatal and infant feeding experiences in a safe environment
• Lively and interactive learning, with visual aids, group work, hands on experience and practice exercises
• In depth exploration of the postnatal doula role, the postnatal period and how best to support new parents; a wide and comprehensive range of topics and perspectives on the postnatal period
• Evidence based information on current guidelines and areas of research in postnatal care
• Supporting infant feeding as a postnatal doula hosted by a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor
• Establishing your business: exploration of ideas to create a sustainable career and find work through visibility raising and confidence building
• Exploration of your own unique qualities that can be brought to your practice and how to find balance in your role
• Culturally sensitive and inclusion aware
• Support and information on starting your doula journey, joining Doula UK, support services for doulas and the Doula UK Mentoring Process
• Extensive manual supplied covering all course topics and up-to-date resource links, which you can add to and develop
• Certificate of Completion
• One to One debriefs and consolidation sessions with course facilitator
• Opportunities for extra support from one of the course facilitators or other experienced PN doulas called Guiding Hands
• YP Doulaescence Mentoring scheme with experienced postnatal doulas
• Private Facebook groups – a safe place to get support from other postnatal doulas and trainee postnatal doulas with opportunities for further Coaching sessions, social meetups and events
• Additional courses and workshops offered to develop your postnatal doula skills including: Postnatal Planning, Development, Understanding Newborns, Understanding Reflux, Sensational Solids, Intuitive Breast and Body Feeding, Check In and Multiples Workshops; further workshops/courses in development
• Payment plans available
• Offers up to two full scholarships a year on the virtual course and 2 half price places on each course.

Scholarship Criteria for Younique Postnatal
Eligibility:
∙ Be from the black African or Caribbean community
∙ Be a refugee/asylum seeker and able to communicate on Zoom with the help of a translator if necessary
∙ Be from the LGBTQIA+ community
∙ Be differently abled – something that presents challenges but will help you support your community postnatally in a deeper way
∙ Be a refugee/asylum seeker and able to communicate on Zoom with the help of a translator if necessary

∙ Have low/no income or be financially challenged eg a single parent with little support
∙ Have had your income adversely affected by Covid

∙ Live in an area of deprivation in the UK
∙ Be under 25
∙ Be over 60 and financially compromised

Application:
Please write a piece about yourself – how you fit into one of the above groups, why you would really like this scholarship and how you will use your new skills as a postnatal doula, particularly to uplift your community.

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Conscious Birthing

Details:

• Courses facilitated by traditional doulas, each with over 20 years experience with in person and online options available as set out below.
• Five day in person intensive courses in Cornwall, Glastonbury, London, Brighton and abroad, some with residential options. Groups can contact us directly for courses in their location.
• Twelve week online doula training includes Birth, Postnatal and TIDE (Trauma Informed Doula Education) learning.
• Six week online Full Immersion Postnatal doula training
• An invitation to join the Conscious Birthing Network and receive peer support online and personal support from one of our tutors.
• Fun, informative and multi-media, within a rich, relaxed learning environment.
• Small, confidential groups, creating a mutually supportive and in-depth approach.
• Highlighting the traditional role of birthkeeper/doula and reflecting on this grassroots path within a modern day context.
• Exploring the value of presence in a fast moving world, and developing tools for conscious, active listening.
• An opportunity to begin to reflect on our own pregnancy, birth and postpartum stories within a safe space, gently held by tutors and co-supported by each individual within the group: creating an opportunity to both practise the art of support during birth debriefing, an essential doula skill, to begin to lovingly unpack your own story and to experience the gift of being deeply heard.
• A truly holistic approach, including all medical and alternative models: waterbirth, homebirth, birth centre, hospital, assisted, freebirth and early parenting choices all covered, alongside the protocols and expectations within the institution of maternal care, with the focus on informed choice.
• Exploring human rights within the childbearing year: looking at ways in which to incorporate our human rights into a birth plan, to inform your families of these when making their informed choices and discussing ways in which to communicate human rights to midwives and consultants.
• Including a session on ‘Tools for Self-Reliance’: a fun, physical and informative journey, learning the practise of some ancient skills from around the world, to facilitate the empowerment of women during this sacred rite of passage.
• Integrated and in-depth inclusion of how to support and empower fathers/partners-to-be and to work alongside all potential companions during labour and birth.
• Guidance on working alongside healthcare professionals with grace whilst retaining clear boundaries as an advocate for your family-to-be.
• Looking at loss: a discussion on the many ways in which families can potentially experience loss, such as loss of expectation, or through miscarriage or stillbirth, and including signposting for us to pass on and peer support for us to lean on.
• Postnatal session: learn about breastfeeding, explore the essential need for postpartum care and discuss the notion of a postnatal plan.
• Experience a pop-up residential community of Birthworkers-to-be: a unique opportunity to spend time together in an informal setting, allowing for deeper reflection on the role, sharing questions, ideas and skills, alongside your tutors. Time for relaxation, massage from top practitioners, swimming and spending time in the sun (when abroad or in British Summertime) with the emphasis on connecting with nature and experiencing the power of self-nurture: initiating the value of ongoing self-care and peer support within our field. An invitation to delve more deeply into this lay tradition, whilst retreating from your everyday life.
• Advice and guidance for setting up and ethically marketing your Doula practice, including a step-by-step talk through the Doula UK recognition process, on finding a Mentor, the code of conduct, various schemes available and how both Doula UK’s and your own expectations might be met.
• Useful home research, networking and reflective reference pack, with guidance for signposting.
  Certificate of attendance upon completion.
• Home study post course work pack, with plenty of time to complete in your own time and with full tutor support.
  Online recommended reading list.
• Access to an extensive lending library (when courses held in Glastonbury).
• Options for further training. (This course is a foundation for Conscious Birthing’s Childbirth Educator/Antenatal teacher programme). Back to top

Nurturing Birth

Details:

Nurturing Birth is one of the most respected doula training companies in the UK.  Having trained over 3000 doulas since 2005 the values of Nurturing Birth are compassion, respect and community.  What we offer doulas once they have completed their doula training is just as important to us as the quality of the courses themselves.  Doulas wanting to start their journey have three different options to choose from depending on their needs.

The Expansive Course is a deep-dive with three gatherings spread over four months, one-to-one mentoring throughout the course and a comprehensive online portal with presentations from over 20 specialist contributors across the perinatal field and business world.  

The Intensive Course is a 4-day in-person course, held in comfortable, homely environments across the UK and beyond.  The course includes pre and post course work plus one session of mentoring.  

The Distance Course, held entirely online and the perfect opportunity for those who are less able to travel, have accessibility needs or very young children, is run as a series of sessions on Zoom with additional online content plus a mentoring session.  

All Nurturing Birth courses have a wide range of activities to suit different learning types, and opportunities to learn from doulas with a great deal of relevant experience.  Our facilitator and mentor team is international.  We pride ourselves on having one of the most supportive communities of doulas within the UK, with secret Facebook and Telegram groups plus a free opportunity to join the us every week for a one-hour Virtual Cuppa where doulas bring whatever they would like to discuss to the table.  Our aim at Nurturing Birth is to introduce people to the doula role, look at antenatal preparation, birth and postnatal support, nurture doulas through their journey and empower them to go out and support families with confidence.  Nurturing Birth offers additional supportive short courses e.g. Introduction to LGBTQIA+ Inclusion and Homebirth in the Current Landscape.  Mentoring is at the heart of everything we offer and our vision is that all doulas be mentored for the duration of their doula journey so that their practice is healthy and sustainable.  

Three times a year Nurturing Birth offers a free 5-day experience, Is there a doula in you.  There is a Nurturing Birth Scholarship which offers one full place and two half places on courses per year.  

All doulas taking a Nurturing Birth course will get:

• Nurturing Birth Doula logos to put on websites and other promotional materials
• A comprehensive manual full of evidence-based research and information to support you in starting your doula journey (over 250 pages)
• A one-to-one call with their facilitator at the end of the course
• The opportunity to continue regular mentoring at a discounted rate
• A free listing on the international Nurturing Birth Directory
• Discounted options on some of our CPD courses
• Invitation to a secret Facebook and Telegram group where you can get support from our warm, welcoming network of Nurturing Birth doulas across the globe
• Invitation to the weekly Nurturing Birth Virtual Cuppa
• A quarterly e-newsletter with up-to-date research, information, CPD options and support
• The well-respected position of being a Nurturing Birth doula

Find out more about Nurturing Birth at https://nurturingbirth.co.uk and to see our upcoming courses visit https://courses.nurturingbirth.co.uk/upcoming-courses.  To book a call with one of the Nurturing Birth team please send an expression of interest and/or subscribe to the mailing list.

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Continuum Doula

Details:

Join us to explore the Continuum Doula method.

Our 5-day course has the full Doula UK core curriculum alongside an exciting workshop every afternoon with other birth professionals. You will feel comfortable, nurtured and held over the week and a catered lunch is provided for your ease. You have the option to stay on site for a small additional fee for that retreat feeling!

Our courses has no pre or post course work/requirements and you are given access to post course support materials, mentoring circles, Facebook/WhatsApp support groups and more!

We aim to be dyslexia friendly with the materials we use and the week has varied teaching styles.

Our sell out courses run 4 times per year, it costs between £600 and £1250 and it can be paid in various instalments. Included in this payment is a delicious fully catered, vege/vegan lunch. It also includes a donation that enables us to offer one free bursary place.

Our bursaried place is for a Doula to train from an underrepresented background and community that otherwise would not be able to access the training.
This place recognises all diverse experience, including (but not limited to) being part of a marginalised community, perhaps through race, culture, identity, gender, neurodiversity, disability, ethnicity or religion.

Everyone is welcome and we do all we can to make you feel safe with us.

Continuum Doulas are fiercely committed to promoting and encourage equality, diversity and inclusivity. We are actively anti racist and we are strong allies.

If you have attended an introductory workshop with Doula UK, if you book with us we will take off the fee for your Continuum Doula place.

Continuum Doulas strive to be:

• Inclusive & unbiased
• Awesome team members in the community
• Critical thinkers to help get the ‘big picture’
• Attachment aware to optimise bonding
• Trauma informed to maximise safety
• Excellent listeners
• Up to date with all aspects of CPD
• Considerate of the partners needs
• A supportive presence for the whole family

The Continuum model offers continuity of carer to the parents and deep satisfaction for the Doula.

Throughout the course Continuum Doulas will:

Understand role of the Doula- and how the Continuum Doula model differs.

• Embed the core conditions of Doulaing.
• Have time to explore their own experiences and work out any potential personal triggers.
• Enhance their listening skills.
• Begin to explore what being trauma informed means.
• Feel confident in interviews, antenatal and postnatal meetings with clients.
• Explore how we can include the birth partner and other family members.
• Create a Beaded Birth Line (with the original creator)
• Understand the stages, emotions, hormones, and the physiology of all variations of birth.
• Have the ability to work seamlessly in supporting clients in the postnatal period.
• Start to explore the Microbiome in reference to birth and infant feeding.
• Be able to recognise, support and signpost perinatal and paternal mental health problems.
• Be ready to support parents in the postnatal period exploring topics such as: baby brain development, bonding, family relationships returning to work, finding up to date information, slings, baby wearing and more.
• Have confidence with infant feeding after a session with a qualified and practicing breastfeeding counsellor. This will include all aspects of feeding, listening support knowledge of common concerns and appropriate signposting.
• Understand the importance of inclusivity- which can include discussing; neurodiversity, multiple births, birth after loss, racism and supporting the Black and Brown community, other marginalised and at-risk parent groups, LGTBQ parents, sole parents and more.
• The model is based on offering 6 antenatal and 6 postnatal meet ups- potentially working with fewer clients a year (less time on call) BUT having a higher income due the level of continuity you will offer. It’s a sustainable, family friendly model!

Our afternoon workshops can include:

• Maternal Journal exploration- starting with your own self-care!
• Exploring everything placentas, prints, tinctures, smoothies and more (with a real placenta!)
• Birth emergencies (with an Independent Midwife)
• What’s in your Doula bag (knowing your boundaries with alternative medicine, cultural appropriation)
• How to take a great birth/postnatal pic (with a professional birth photographer)
• An introduction to the microbiome and how we can protect it.
• Birth and breast physiology (with a retired midwife)
• Getting political! Talking birth rights and how to navigate the NHS (with a MVP- Maternity Voices Partnership representative)
• Getting to grips with self-employment, insurance, DBS checks and more!
• How to join Doula UK and the mentoring scheme.
• The closing of our course with a powerful Salt Bowl ceremony and settings of future intentions.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Do not let finances be a barrier to this important work.

The World needs you!

Developing Doulas

Details:

• Five full days or longer for the online courses.
• A loving, informal atmosphere designed to help you ‘find the doula within’ in a small, intimate group
• Courses round the UK facilitated by experienced doulas and Breastfeeding Counsellors
• Online courses available which consist of 9 zoom classes and lifetime access to an online course/manual on our courses website.
• Developing Doulas was founded by Maddie McMahon – experienced doula/breastfeeding counsellor and author of ‘Why Doulas Matter’ and ‘Why Mothering Matters’
• Practical skills for birth and postnatal doulas – learning to ‘mother the mother’ by listening, holding the space and supporting informed decision-making
• Time to debrief and explore your own experiences, share and give and receive support within the group
• Explore the role of the doula and what it means to you, your family and the wider community
• Support and information on setting up and getting going as a doula.
• Extensive online course manual that you have lifetime access to.
• One to one sessions at the end of the course to reflect on the course and your future as a doula
• Extend your learning and personal growth and benefit your community with the post-course project and our varied opportunities for additional learning.
• Certificate of completion
• Ongoing support through the Developing Doulas family and our Companionship scheme that provides mentoring and support.
• Opportunities for ongoing learning and development of knowledge and skills through Developing Doulas workshops and work-from-home courses
• Cut price business, marketing and website support available to DD members and half price access to our Doulavation course which widens and deepens the learning from your preparation course.
• The Pam Lacey Award is for women who aspire to support breastfeeding mothers in their community. This awards 20% off the course fees.
• If you come from a marginalised community and wish to become a doula to support that community and need help to finance the course, please do talk to us.
• Payment in instalments welcome.

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Red Tent Courses

Details:

• 1 woman-centred interactive weekend session with Nicola Mahdiyyah Goodall, home study, ongoing learning and support throughout (Edinburgh/London/Highlands/International) Hannah Winbolt-Lewis (York) Sally Parkin (Leeds)
•  Woman-led self-study module
• To develop a woman’s awareness in her own belief system
• To foster a supportive environment for a woman to start the journey of debriefing her own experiences
• To inspire confidence in the role of a Doula and Midwife and discuss boundaries
• Encouraging a good knowledge base around gentle birth and parenting also exploring birth art and journaling
• To explore the nature of the relationships that play a part in a woman’s transition to motherhood
• To empower new doulas to set up their own business and ethically work as part of a wider network of doulas
• With a focus on cultural competency
• To develop an awareness of personal boundaries and base of values. Special attention on telling the womans own story and self-care.
• Support throughout the course and ongoing from the facilitators and the rest of the Red Tent community including membership to a very supportive closed private healthy safe social network
• Certificate of attendance and completion
• Traditional midwifery and radical birthkeeping
• Payment options available
• Strong emphasis on building circles of women
• Small groups for enhanced learning

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