VIEW, Issue five, 2012


Website: viewdigital.org


Page 21


Support team: Chairperson June Donaldson with treasurer Elaine Bull, secretary Christina McCarten and some of the newly trained Doula volunteers


kethill Co. Armagh, are still “hesitant” about the service.


Every mum should have a Doula F


ATHERS need to realise that Doulas are there for mum, dad and the family as a whole”, said Elaine Bull from Doula Vision – a set of volunteers who help new mothers. Men according to Elaine, who lives in Mar-


cal support”, said Elaine. “Some new mothers want help with feeding while others want the bathroom cleaned or help with older toddlers – it depends on the family”. Elaine is happy to prepare meals for the fam-


ily she is helping. While she says she is not a cor- don bleu cook she is well used to cooking for her own siblings. Following a difficult time after the birth of


“We offer a mixture of emotional and practi- By Una Murphy


one of her own children, Elaine realised the impor- tance of extra support for new mothers. She went to England to train as a Doula with Nurturing Birth – who now come to Kilkeel to help train the growing band of Doulas here. Elaine and her colleague June go out with vol- unteer Doulas to women expecting a baby and an agreement is drawn up about the type of work to be undertaken. Elaine says a Doula will meet up with the


woman she is helping about five times before the birth, be there during labour and call to her home about three times a week after the baby is born. She would like the Health Service to refer


them in the areas that stress them out” says Elaine.


• To search for volunteering opportuni- ties in your local area, please visit www.volunteernow.co.uk or Call 0845 652 6065


• If you have a volunteer story which you would like to share with VIEW please contact Una Murphy email: edito- rial@viewdigital.org


“We give the mother confidence and help


Deputy mayor Kevin Campbell (second right) at a recent Men’s Ac- tion Network (MAN) event as part of the Derry City Coun- cil’s Community Relations Week which ran from May 14-20. Also with participants of the workshop is Carol Stewart, Community Relations


developed through a series of MAN workshops which explored the legacy and the impact of ‘the Troubles’ on the lives of men, their relationships and their health Image: Maurice Thompson


Officer at Derry City Council. The event launched a publication


pregnant woman to Doula Vision. The group will now go to any address in Northern Ireland al- though they need more volunteers in the north- west.


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