The Goodwin Volunteer Doula Project is a voluntary project set up within the auspices of the Goodwin Development Trust. The word 'doula' is a Greek word meaning 'woman servant' but has now come to mean a woman who offers emotional and physical support to women before, during and after childbirth.

Based in the heart of Hull, The Doula Project strives to provide disadvantaged women in the community with a confidant and knowledgable Doula who will ensure each woman is given a voice that is heard. Providing non judgemental, consistent and tailored support, our Doulas enthusiastically promote the benefits of natural birth and breastfeeding to ensure these women have knowledge around all options available to them, feel empowered to make their own decisions and therefore have the best possible birth outcome and the healthiest possible start in life for their children. 

At The Doula Project, our volunteers receive core training in a variety of areas, from Preparing for Birth to Breastfeeding to Child Protection. This training is accredited to Levels 2 and 3 with OCN, and gives the learner a total of 9 credits, if completed successfully. Upon completion, further training is available to all Doulas who express interest, covering a wide range of topics including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Aromatherapy, and Speech and Language Therapy.

With a new Breastfeeding Peer Support Service for new mums, we can now offer longer term support with breastfeeding and support on the Postnatal Ward at Hull Women and Children's hospital at regular times throughout the week.

The Goodwin Volunteer Doula Project aims to see its services replicated in many areas of the country as it has been awarded funding through the Department of Health to support it to do so.