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Celebrating Project MAMA’s Recognition with the Maternity Stream of Sanctuary Award

Celebrating Project MAMA’s Recognition with the Maternity Stream of Sanctuary Award

We’re thrilled to announce that Bristol-based organisation Project MAMA has been honoured with the Maternity Stream of Sanctuary Award. This recognition shines a spotlight on the exceptional care they deliver to women seeking sanctuary during pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood. Huge thanks to the Bristol City of Sanctuary Team for their support with this incredible achievement.

Yasmin Millican (Bristol City of Sanctuary) presenting Esther Deeks (Service Manager at Project Mama) with the award.

Who are Project MAMA?

Founded in 2018 by Fiona Mann, Project MAMA was born from a pressing need – too many displaced women in Bristol were navigating pregnancy and birth alone, without community or culturally sensitive support.

They’ve since pioneered two transformative initiatives:

  • Mother Companions: Volunteers including doulas, activists, midwives, and birth workers offer one-to-one, trauma-informed support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early weeks of parenthood. This approach helps women understand their choices, feel empowered, and avoid isolation.
  • MAMAhub: A welcoming drop-in community space where migrant Mamas and their babies can connect over home-cooked meals, trauma-informed activities, and mutual support, with transport costs often covered to ensure accessibility .

Their impact speaks volumes. These services counter alarming disparities – with women seeking sanctuary still facing increased risks of maternal death, higher risks of postnatal depression, and increased likelihood of premature or stillbirths compared to UK-born women.

The Award

Receiving the Maternity Stream of Sanctuary Award is a testament to Project MAMA’s unwavering commitment to:

  • Learning about the needs of displaced women as they navigate pregnancy and early parenthood;
  • Embedding compassionate, inclusive care into every element of their work;
  • Sharing solidarity that builds a community of strength, dignity, and mutual support.

This award not only honours Project MAMA’s leadership in Bristol – it also sets a powerful example for other maternity groups and services across the UK. It reminds us that sanctuary isn’t just about safety – it’s about inclusion, care and respect.

Project MAMA’s award represents more than simply a certificate – it’s an invitation to all of us to extend sanctuary in its fullest sense. Congratulations to them, and to every displaced Mama in Bristol who deserves to feel loved, supported, and never alone.

If you work for an NHS Maternity Department or a community-based organisation, and are interested in applying for a Maternity Stream of Sanctuary award please get in touch – [email protected]