Funding from my Dora Opoku Student Award supported the development and delivery of a one-day interactive workshop titled "Working with Migrant Families in Maternity Care" to all first-year student midwives at the University of the West of Scotland.
The workshop aimed to improve students' understanding of the complex realities faced by migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee families when accessing UK maternity services.
Delivered in collaboration with Amma Birth Companions*, the workshop integrated lived experience, expert facilitation and interactive learning methods to encourage reflection and meaningful dialogue. It created a safe learning space for students to build their confidence, knowledge, empathy and practical skills to deliver culturally sensitive and trauma-informed midwifery care.
A key element of the project was the involvement of Amma’s Experts by Experience group throughout, who generously and courageously shared their personal experiences of navigating the UK maternity system as migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
Centring these first-hand accounts helped students gain a deeper understanding of the structural barriers many families face, including language challenges, financial hardship (e.g. No Recourse to Public Funds), trauma from displacement and unfamiliarity with healthcare systems.
These narratives encouraged students to reflect on how their practice could either support or unintentionally disadvantage vulnerable women and families.
The workshop also focused on practical aspects of equitable care. Students explored the rights and entitlements of migrant families within the NHS, how to work effectively with interpreters and how to provide trauma-informed, person-centred support.
Discussions around unconscious bias and systemic racism encouraged students to reflect critically on their role within maternity services and how they can advocate for women whose voices may not always be heard.
By engaging in open discussion and collaborative learning, students were encouraged to develop the confidence to challenge inequities and promote compassionate, inclusive care.
Interactive role-play scenarios formed an important part of the workshop, enabling students to apply their learning in realistic practice situations. I am very grateful to staff from Glasgow's Citizens Theatre for supporting the development of these activities and for providing facilitation on the day.
Their expertise helped create engaging scenarios based on the lived experience, encouraging students to consider the emotional and practical challenges faced by migrant families in maternity care and think critically about how they might respond in real clinical situations.
We posed the question "How confident do you feel caring for migrant women and birthing people?" before and after the workshop to measure impact and we were pleased to see a marked increase in student midwives' confidence following the session.
A few examples of feedback we received from students in the post-workshop evaluation include:
"It was very informal and eye opening to what people are currently experiencing in their maternity journeys. It has helped me to think about how I can make a difference in my future practice"
"I felt the interactive nature made it really personal and memorable"
"Very informative hearing real life stories"
"I felt quite emotional at points about the injustice and unfairness faced by women from refugee/migrant backgrounds. In my practice I will endeavour to treat women from all backgrounds with care and compassion"
Receiving this Iolanthe award has had a significant impact on my own development as a student midwife.
Working closely with Amma Birth Companions has provided valuable insight into the realities faced by migrant women and families, deepening my understanding of the structural inequalities that exist within maternity services and strengthening my commitment to advocating for equitable care.
A very special thank you to all the Amma staff, volunteers and families for their time and dedication to making this workshop happen – this is just the beginning!
This project also held personal significance. As a migrant who moved to the UK 16 years ago, I had experienced the challenges of navigating unfamiliar systems and overcoming language barriers, with English being my third language. These experiences shaped my motivation to improve inclusivity and cultural understanding within healthcare.
The support from the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust has enabled me to transform these experiences into meaningful action. While the immediate beneficiaries were the student midwives who attended the workshop, the wider impact extends to the women, babies and families they will support throughout their careers.
By equipping future midwives with greater cultural awareness, empathy and advocacy skills, this project has contributed to the development of a more compassionate and equitable maternity care system for everyone.
*Amma Birth Companions is a Glasgow-based charity that supports women and birthing people from marginalised groups through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood - this includes primarily but not exclusively those from asylum-seeking, refugee, and migrant backgrounds.
