From 10th - 17th October 2024, White Ribbon Alliance UK is part of the Women & Girls Match Fund 2024 with the Big Give! If you have ever wanted to support our work, this is your chance to make TWICE the impact! During this special week, every donation you make will be doubled, helping us to support women and mothers across the UK. Whether it’s preventing birth trauma, advocating for better maternity care, or providing mental health support, your gift will go twice as far in transforming lives.   

Giving Birth Should Not be a Death Sentence 

Every year, thousands of women endure obstetric violence and birth trauma, which can cause severe physical and psychological harm. Obstetric violence includes verbal abuse, physical violence, and coercion during childbirth, leading to long-term trauma and health disparities. Birth should not be a life-threatening experience, however over 30,000 women in the UK develop PTSD annually due to traumatic births. Systemic failures in the NHS are resulting in preventable deaths.  

Julie Boddy, Movement Director at White Ribbon Alliance UK says: 

“We are raising £20,000 to help eradicate violence against pregnant women and new mothers through education, advocacy, and establishing community support networks for the most vulnerable, specifically Brown and Asian women and those living in impoverished areas.” 

Help us to reach our goal, click here to donate: Giving birth should not be a death sentence. 

I’m New Here – What is White Ribbon Alliance UK? 

White Ribbon Alliance UK is a registered charity (1143376) working to transform sexual and reproductive healthcare, emphasising the wellbeing and human rights of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. We prioritise the eradication of gender-based violence and the promotion of gender equity. We push for advancements in trauma-informed care, safeguarding mental and physical wellbeing, and promoting policy reforms to protect the most vulnerable members of society. 

What is the Big Give? 

Big Give is a registered charity (1136547) that runs match funded campaigns for charities and special causes at key moments across the year. By connecting charities to match funders (like philanthropists, foundations or corporates) and the public, Big Give helps them double their donations. And, in doing so, makes an extraordinary difference to the world’s biggest challenges. It has raised more than £236m for charities, to date. 

It’s a simple idea - when the public donates to a charity through a Big Give campaign, it asks funders (philanthropists, foundations, government departments or corporates) to match that donation. So £50 from a member of the public becomes £100 for a good cause. 

Big Give has supported more than 10,000 charities and has worked with some of the biggest names in UK philanthropy and charitable grant-making.

How Will This Fundraiser Transform Maternity Care?  

By equipping mothers with knowledge and advocacy tools, we aim to make maternity care equitable, safe, and respectful for all. We work to foster strength and empowerment among those giving birth. We advocate for systemic changes in maternity care, contributing to equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed healthcare practices. 

Our aims for this fundraiser are:  

📚📣Education and Advocacy: Develop and distribute tailored educational materials and awareness campaigns that inform expectant mothers and birthing people about the standards of care they are entitled to, especially those pertaining to mental health and human rights. 

📖 🏥 Workshops and Training Sessions: Conduct interactive workshops and training sessions to bridge the knowledge gap between healthcare providers and parents, ensuring that pregnant people are fully engaged in their healthcare decisions and can make informed decisions and self-advocate. 

🤝💬 Community Support Network: Establish an online community that facilitates ongoing support and advocacy for those using maternity services, enabling them to share experiences and resources. We will provide signposting services to guide parents in seeking help during crises or for general advice. 

What Your Donation Could Fund 

🌟 £10 – Provides an informational starter pack for expectant mothers, empowering them to advocate for themselves during childbirth. 

🌟 £25 – Offers a transport stipend for a mother attending a hospital appointment or peer support group, ensuring that transportation isn’t a barrier to accessing essential support. 

🌟 £50 – Covers the cost for a mother to attend a group counselling session, providing her with a safe space to process her birth experience and connect with others. 

🌟 £100 – Provides two half-hour information-sharing and support sessions for a mother, helping her navigate pregnancy and postpartum care with the guidance she needs. 

Between the 10th and 17th October 2024, White Ribbon Alliance UK are looking to raise £20,000 to save lives, prevent harm, and safeguard the mental health of mothers.  Mark your calendars – donations open at midday on the 10th of October 2024 

Ready to support? Click here to donate to our match funded campaign: Giving birth should not be a death sentence. 

Sharing our campaign helps us to reach more people, please consider sharing this campaign with your networks.  

For further information please contact Julie Boddy, Movement Director at julie@whiteribbonalliance.org.uk