McLeish, J, Darwin, Z orcid.org/0000-0001-8147-0669, Spiby, H et al. (2 more authors) (2016) The processes of implementing and sustaining an intensive volunteer one-to-one support (doula) service for disadvantaged pregnant women. Voluntary Sector Review: an international journal of third sector research, policy and practice, 7 (2). pp. 149-167. ISSN 2040-8056
Abstract
'Doulas' (lay women who are trained to support other women during pregnancy, birth and postnatally) can improve outcomes for disadvantaged mothers and babies. This Realist Evaluation study uses qualitative interviews to explore the views of staff, commissioners and local champions about the processes of establishing and sustaining five volunteer doula support projects in England. The six key factors in their successful implementation are: fitting with local commissioning priorities; staff commitment and skills; networking with other agencies; defining and marketing the role; providing strong support for volunteers; and having some costs absorbed by others. The four key factors in sustaining the projects are: finding ways to balance the numbers of referrals and volunteers; shaping the service to local service drivers; constant networking; and creative responses to funding shortages. It is a constant challenge to balance the rate of referrals and the number of trained volunteers within tight budgets and timescales.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Policy Press 2016. This is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of an article published in Voluntary Sector Review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version, "McLeish, J, Darwin, Z, Spiby, H, Wilmot, H and Green, J (2016) The processes of implementing and sustaining an intensive volunteer one-to-one support (doula) service for disadvantaged pregnant women. Voluntary Sector Review: an international journal of third sector research, policy and practice, 7 (2). pp. 149-167", is available online at https://dx.doi.org/10.1332/204080516X14650415652465. |
Keywords: | doula; facilitator; process; volunteer |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Healthcare (Leeds) > Midwifery (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 25 May 2016 09:49 |
Last Modified: | 12 Mar 2019 15:14 |
Published Version: | https://dx.doi.org/10.1332/204080516X1465041565246... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Policy Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1332/204080516X14650415652465 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:100087 |