, Rose McCarthy National Streams Coordinator, City of Sanctuary, and NCT Expert Practitioner

“ When I gave birth to my son it was something else –something more than happiness.” Chantilal Karimath

 Lonely  Isolated  In need of help but don’t know where to go  Don’t want to be a burden  Will you be welcome?

“What you need is a friend”

  Accommodation  Fear of 4 D’s dispersal, destitution, detention and deportation  Living in Limbo Lack of knowledge of support Lack of knowledge of support  A ccess to interpreters Lack of suitable interpreters key finding in CEMACE report 2011 – Lack of suitable interpreters key finding in CEMACE report 2011 – 14% maternity deaths to AS&R women though 0.5% population

 Mental Health issues. Stress and anxiety – miscarriage and small babies.  Relive the horrors from home including seeing family members killed  Family left behind  Unhealthy diet  HIV –cost NHS up to 1 million per baby!  FGM  Domestic violence Inspirational Women

Compare maternity care back home and in the UK. Give women a choice and belief in themselves. More normal births??

“Mum, people do care, you’ve just got to ask the right questions”.

 Refugee Council Health Befrienders worked slowly to build trusting relationships  Time to talk and accompany to appointments, support groups  Health issues uncovered e.g. Domestic abuse, FGM, HIV and suicidal tendencies  Signposted and found help  “She took me out of my loneliness corner”  Funding ended but will find funding one day

 Training in public speaking from WYP  Practice at peer support meetings  Lectures, conferences and parliament  Writing up stories  Plans for Maternity Stream Resource Pack

 Banner hangs outside the Dean’s office at Leeds School of Medicine  Maternity films shown to medical students  Awareness raising sessions in the Autumn

NO!

 Reflect on your preconceptions about asylum seekers and refugees.  Listen with your whole body  Care for the women as a person, not just her physical needs.  Signpost to appropriate statutory and non -statutory services.  Join the Maternity Stream of Sanctuary

”” ” I picked up the old me that was in the box”

 Never underestimate - - the power of a woman  - the love of a mother for her children  - or the capacity of a woman who has suffered to help others.  - Mums are amazing!