The Birth Loop: Empowering Confidence, Connection and Care

Total amount requested: £24,000

The Birth Loop is a maternity and neonatal wellbeing initiative designed to address the persistent inequalities highlighted in the latest MBRRACE UK report. The report shows that Black women in the United Kingdom remain almost three times more likely to die during or soon after pregnancy than White women, while Asian women are almost twice as likely. Women living in the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to die compared with those in the least deprived, and babies from Black and Asian families experience higher rates of perinatal mortality. These statistics reflect systemic disadvantage, unequal access to care, and gaps in communication and confidence between families and health professionals.

This project will deliver inclusive, reflective maternity and neonatal wellbeing events that empower women and families to build confidence, calm and informed decision making throughout pregnancy, birth and early parenting. The main activities will include a series of Empowered Mama Showers which are community gatherings combining education, reflection and celebration, and a Dadwise event for fathers and partners. At each event, participants will use The Confidence Journey board game, a creative tool that helps explore practical and emotional stages of maternity and neonatal care through play, shared stories and discussion. Alongside these sessions, a digital WhatsApp Feedback Loop will enable participants to reflect anonymously on their experiences, challenges and learning. This real time feedback will be shared with local Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships at King’s College Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital, ensuring that lived experience directly informs service improvement.

The project is for pregnant and postnatal women, fathers and families in Brixton and Peckham, with a focus on groups identified by MBRRACE UK as experiencing the poorest outcomes. These include Black, Asian and minority ethnic women, younger mothers, migrant and refugee families, and those living in areas of deprivation. Sessions will be trauma informed, culturally sensitive and accessible, creating safe spaces for families to discuss their experiences, learn about choices, and strengthen emotional wellbeing.

The Birth Loop will improve health and wellbeing by increasing participants’ confidence, health literacy and ability to make informed decisions. Through creative learning, it will normalise conversations about birth, mental health and neonatal journeys, helping to reduce anxiety, isolation and mistrust. The digital feedback loop will strengthen communication between the community and health services, closing the gap between lived experience and system design. By centring reflection, connection and inclusion, the project will help tackle the social and psychological roots of health inequality.

Funding will be used to deliver these events and engagement tools, including venue hire, materials for the board game, facilitation by the project lead, peer mentor stipends, a counsellor for reflective support, and participant vouchers to remove financial barriers.

The Birth Loop builds on the leadership of Omar Campbell, MNVP Lead for King’s College Hospital, a Service User Voice Rep for London working alongside the Chief Midwife for London, and former panel member of the Southwark Maternity Commission, which reviewed equity and experience across maternity pathways. With established networks of midwives, health professionals and community mentors, this project will use creativity, reflection and evidence to drive change and lasting impact.