Glasgow charity Amma that 'raised mother from the dead' secures additional funding to help vulnerable mothers

When Nkem Okeke first arrived in Glasgow from Nigeria in 2019, she was not permitted to work.

When she realised she was pregnant with Ethan, having already lost a son at 15 days old, she asked the Home Office for accommodation – and was subsequently sent to England, first to Stockton-on-Tees, then Bedford.

Nkem says it is the most isolated she has ever felt in her entire life.

“All of a sudden I was moved to a place I’ve never been. I’ve never been anywhere in England, you know”, she told STV News.

“You don’t know where you are going, you need direction. People don’t want to talk to you. I look like I’m an animal, you know. A very terrible animal.

“I become scared of my life. I even become scared of myself.”

Nkem was moved to England after approaching the Home Office in Scotland. STV News

She was also dealing with grief from the loss of her baby son in April 2021, as well as incredible pain and mobility issues due to Pelvic Girdle Pain during pregnancy.

“I lost Ethan’s older brother in 2021, and I was still mourning. I was still in pain, because the first issue was such a terrible one”, she continued.

“He died in the hospital. He was infected over there, and wasn’t treated, and he died. So I was still in pain when Ethan came in.

“I was a walking corpse. I was looking forward to a day I sleep and never wake up again. I needed help, I wasn’t getting any from the Home Office.”

Finally, she was able to return to Glasgow, at which point she was introduced to the services provided by Amma – a charity offering support to vulnerable mothers who face the journey of pregnancy, birth, and the early stages of parenthood alone.

Nkem credits them with ‘bringing her back from the dead’.

“Amma came into my life, and saved me from death”, she added. “I was dead already. They are lifesavers. Real lifesavers. I don’t know how to thank them, just to let them know they raised me from the dead.

“Its the same thing they have done for so many pregnant women.

“They become your family. I see myself, that I have a family again.”

Since its launch, Amma Birth Companions has positively impacted the lives of more than 500 women. STV News

Amma Birth Companions was founded in 2019 and has provided support to many women throughout their journey to motherhood.

Since its launch, demand for the companionship service has doubled annually, positively impacting the lives of more than 500 women.

The charity will now be able to help even more women like Nkem – after receiving a £10,000 grant from the HFD Charitable Foundation to train a new group of volunteers to be birth companions, offering non-medical support to women during late pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

In other words, its going to be helping those who might otherwise face giving birth alone.

Volunteers undergo a comprehensive 50 to 70-hour training programme over six weeks, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed care. They come from a range of backgrounds, including retired midwives, medical students, and even former clients who want to give back.

Lauren McKenzie, ambassador for the HFD Charitable Foundation, added: “The work of Amma Birth Companions is invaluable to its clients.

“The volunteer programme not only helps women through the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth but also provides a lifeline for those facing isolation and uncertainty.

“At the HFD Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives like this, which are making a tangible and lasting difference in local communities, helping women and families who might otherwise be overlooked.”

Abigail Stein, head of partnerships and fundraising at Amma Birth Companions, said: “Giving birth and caring for a newborn is daunting for any mother, but especially for those who may be facing it alone or are unable to communicate with healthcare staff.

“The support from HFD has been crucial in ensuring our companion volunteers are well-prepared to provide effective and compassionate care. Many of our clients come from diverse backgrounds and speak various languages, which makes understanding their experiences more complex.

“Through training, we empower our volunteers to build trust and set healthy boundaries while offering both emotional and practical support to those in need.”