WIREDGOV

A London charity which provides antenatal and postnatal support to women who are, or at risk of being, in prison, has received a £114,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.  The Fund, which is responsible for giving out 40 per cent of the money raised by the National Lottery, made the grant to Birth Companions which works with HMP Holloway. 

The grant means the charity will be able to continue its work providing antenatal and postnatal support to women who are in, have been in, or are at risk of being sent to, prison. The support includes antenatal visits and groups, writing birth plans, support from trained volunteers during childbirth, postnatal individual and group support in prison and following release. This support also helps their babies get the best possible start in life. 

The project will help many women that face a range of issues and challenges including mental health problems, substance misuse, a history of domestic and sexual violence, trafficking, experience of detention and human rights violations overseas. They are vulnerable during their pregnancies due to the effects of poor health, poverty, lack of support from family and friends and having been in care.

Birth Companions Director Naomi Delap said: “This project aims to improve the experience of pregnancy, birth and motherhood for vulnerable women in prison and in the community, and ensure the best possible start in life for their new-born babies.

“Care for women in prison is very focused on clinical needs. This means that in pregnancy they get access to all the checks and scans, blood tests and midwife appointments that they would get in the community - however they might not get ante-natal classes or specialist breast-feeding advice, and sometimes give birth without the support of a partner.  Some face the prospect of being separated from their baby.

“The women who are referred to us in the community may have been released from prison, have been the victim of trafficking or domestic violence, or have experienced torture in their own country.  Many are living in isolated, difficult situations.  

“The project supports women with very complex needs in the period before, during and after birth.  We provide ante-natal classes and visits, post-natal support and specialist breast-feeding advice and essential practical items such as baby clothes.

“Volunteers provide expert support to women during childbirth so they don’t feel they are going through it alone.  We will also help women through the very difficult experience of separation from their baby.” 

Also receiving funding today is Advice Support Knowledge Information receives £73,331 to reduce isolation and increase skills and confidence in re-entering education and employment for black and minority ethnic people aged over 50 in Croydon.

Activities will include training packages on CV writing, job search, goal setting and speaking with confidence, supporting organisations to offer work experience placements and volunteering opportunities, and social events to bring people from diverse communities together.

The grant to both organisations comes from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communitiesprogramme.

Tim Davies-Pugh, Big Lottery Fund Deputy Director of England, said: “Being pregnant and giving birth is likely to be the most important time in any mother’s life. This grant to Birth Companions ensures that mothers facing, or in, prison and their newborn babies are given the best support possible at this time.”  

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500572
Website:www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @biglotteryfund #biglf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund

Notes to editors

• The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.
• The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn.
• In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was awarded to projects. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £31 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded