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Introducing Iolanthe

The Iolanthe Midwifery Trust is a registered charity that aims to promote and improve the care of mothers, babies and families through awarding grants and fellowships in support of midwifery education, practice and research.

Midwives are the only professionals who have legal responsibility for the safety of all mothers and babies during normal childbirth in Britain. Anyone who has ever had a child will understand the total trust and confidence that a mother places in the midwife. Her life and her baby's life are in their hands. Most woman never forget the midwife who helped her birth her baby.

In order for midwives to offer the very best care they need to develop innovative practice, progress their professional education and conduct research. This is made possible through the work of the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust. For many midwives, the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust has transformed their lives, supporting them in achieving their dreams and aspirations. Over 30 years, the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust has helped nearly 400 midwives develop and broaden their skills and knowledge through bursaries, fellowships and special awards.

Each year the Trust invites applications for a number of awards. The awards are advertised on social media and in the midwifery press in November/December and applications should be submitted by the closing date in January. The completed applications are assessed for quality by a panel of professionals and then recommendations are made to the Trustees. Individuals or projects that score most highly are awarded the following April.

Iolanthe has an endowment fund which provides some of the income needed each year to fund awards, but relies on donations and fundraising to allow us to support as many midwives as possible.  We welcome you to become part of the Iolanthe family, by raising funds, by raising awareness of the work we do or by applying for one of our awards.