The Iolanthe Midwives award was used to support an innovative project attempting to optimise the wellbeing of midwives, by developing and delivering a package of ‘psychological first aid’ and peer support through Professional Midwifery Advocates (PMAs).
The project developed and piloted an innovative hybrid package of interventions; to identify and support midwives in psychological distress (particularly following exposure to traumatic incidents). The package was designed and developed in collaboration with leading mental health professional Professor Greenberg (Occupational, academic and forensic psychiatrist) and the senior Midwifery Team at Northampton. The package was based on the most current up to date research and the growing evidence base around peer support and trauma response.
Being successful in obtaining the Iolanthe Midwifery Award has enabled my team to design, pilot and implement a new programme for support for midwives and the wider maternity team members. Without the Iolanthe funding we would not have been able to secure the funding elsewhere. For me if the programme evaluates well and it helps midwives at times of psychological distress, promoting a more positive culture around psychological wellbeing and support.
Hopefully this will result in women and their babies being cared more effectively, more compassionately, with kindness and safely because those midwives also feel supported and cared for.
