Ethnic maternity support group sees demand grow

Faiza Rehman from Peterborough said her personal experiences inspired her to create a safe space where families could access culturally sensitive support

An organisation that supports ethnic minority families through pregnancy said it is seeing rising demand for its services and is fundraising to continue its work.

Peterborough-based Raham Project, which was founded five years ago, said it has helped more than 800 families with pre-natal support tailored to cultural needs.

Founder Faiza Rehman, an NHS midwife, said she launched the initiative after "witnessing disparities and unconscious bias in maternity care".

The community group, which has been described as "life-changing" by its users, offers lunch clubs, walk-and-talk sessions, pre-natal advice and signposting to services.

The group also provided cultural awareness training for healthcare professionals, which it said aimed to bridge gaps in understanding and improve care outcomes.

The organisation has been seeking funds to meet growing demand from a wider range of ethnic communities.

Ms Rehman said the increase reflects both the need for inclusive care and the trust the project has built within diverse communities in the area.

The mum-of-two has been working as a midwife for 17 years and said she started the project "because it felt like we need to hear these ethnic voices and understand what these communities are going through".

"The kind of stories that we've heard over the years essentially keep reiterating what the national picture is telling us - that these families feel getting access to care isn't easy for them or feel like they weren't being listened to," she added.

The walk-and-talk sessions are held in Central Park, Peterborough, and are attended by about 25 people

The perinatal period covers the time from pregnancy up until two years after having a baby, but Ms Rehman said a lot of mothers were continuing to visit them beyond that.

"We want to create a safe space for our families and make sure they have a support network," she said.

"Our monthly walk-and-talk helps them get out, get some fresh air.

"Our lunch club brings mums from diverse communities together, in a relaxed environment, get information about pregnancy and parenthood and enjoy home-cooked meals."

Ms Rehman said most families they help are from black, Asian, or mixed ethnic backgrounds, with increasing participation from Eastern European and Egyptian mothers.

"Language barriers definitely exist," she said, noting that some Egyptian mothers attend sessions to "improve their English through socialising".

Ms Rehman said Raham Project, which is based in Cromwell Road, was previously funded by Peterborough City Council's Family Hubs Scheme.

Ms Rehman said the team was committed to expanding their support and staying responsive to community needs.

"We are going to keep going. We are going to ask them what they need and we're going to stay rooted to our purpose," she said.