Our Campaigns
“We need to talk about trauma for all. The circle of trauma is affecting both parents and professionals.”
- The Think Trauma Now Report, 2020
Through training and campaigning we are reshaping the maternity system into a space where everyone is treated equally, with dignity and care. Where birth is a collaborative experience. Where parents and professionals all feel held in a system that values them. We consider ourselves activists for better birth experiences and we work hand-in-hand with our champions community to deliver this work.
Think Trauma Now Campaign
We want everyone to know about birth trauma
We launched #ThinkTraumaNow at the start of the pandemic in 2020. A Make Birth Better study from 2019 showed trauma statistics already had a sobering status quo. With Covid-19 restrictions added in the mix, we knew trauma statistics would skyrocket, so we urged policy makers, more than ever, to think about trauma prevention and treatment.
In 2023 we launched a new three year strategy for the next phase or #ThinkTraumaNow which was co-produced with our champions. Building on campaign learnings since its launch, our mission focus became: we want everyone to know about birth trauma and how to find support. The National Lottery Community Fund began funding the campaign in 2024.
No More Excuses Campaign
Pay the full amount
In the words of Midwife and Activitst Donna Ockenden: “There can be no excuses.” NHS England has announced £127 million of additional funding for maternity services. This is not enough money. In fact, it is only a third of the full amount that has been recommended by the Health and Social Care Select Committee. Join our demand that this Government commits to the full £350 million funding. #NoMoreExcuses
Every Word Counts Campaign
Communication is key.
Do you remember a specific phrase? Words said to you when you were pregnant or giving birth? Many women or birthing people do. Because words matter. In 2018 we first launched our #everywordcounts campaign. Through this campaign we encourage everybody to reflect on the impact of words. We ran a powerful second edition in 2021.
The Make Birth Better Campaign
The one that started it all.
Our first campaign started in August 2017 when Co-founder Dr Emma Svanberg shared a post on Instagram explaining the difference between Postnatal Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The response floored her. Women contacted her throughout the day sharing their stories: how they had been deeply affected by their births but felt unable to speak about them. Emma analysed these stories with five themes emerging. The seed was planted for Make Birth Better.