Maternity Care: Session 7
Creating a smoother transition into motherhood for people seeking sanctuary in Manchester
Working with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN), and Ardwick and Longsight Primary Care Network we explored ways to improve maternity care for women from Eastern African backgrounds living in Longsight.
30 women in the Little Lion network who are largely from Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia took part in weekly sessions to dismantle the communication barriers they experience in their journey to motherhood. Many of the women in this network have experienced sexual and gender-based trauma, which can include trafficking and Female Genital Mutilation.
Our Maternity Care test and learn site connected women from the Little Lions network with professionals and front-line services from across the health and social care network. In each session, the women were able to raise specific questions about their health and through discussions, they learned new ways to improve their lifestyles. Their children were able to access a playroom and toys while they attended the session. Every session started with a signature Afrocats dance session to get the women relaxed, present and ready to engage.