Significant core costs funding over the next three years will allow the Birth Companions Institute to deepen and expand our work to achieve better care, equity and justice for pregnant women, mothers and babies.
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We are delighted to announce that the Birth Companions Institute, founded earlier this year, has secured significant funding from Impact on Urban Health and the Henry Smith Foundation. This funding will allow us to deepen and expand our work to achieve better care, equity and justice over the next three years.
The Birth Companions Institute has a bold vision: to tackle the deep-rooted inequities that affect the health and wellbeing of pregnant women, mothers and their babies.
The Institute is a centre of expertise bringing together research, policy, public affairs, campaigns, consultancy, legal insight and media engagement. It builds on Birth Companions’ 30 years of frontline experience supporting women and babies, and is powered by the voices and leadership of women with lived experience of disadvantage in pregnancy and early motherhood.
Impact on Urban Health and the Henry Smith Foundation are making a significant contribution to the core costs associated with the Institute’s work.
Core costs funding is transformative. It enables us to invest in the infrastructure, staffing and strategic development needed to deliver lasting impact. With this support, we can:
This is not just funding - it’s a vote of confidence in the power and potential of the Birth Companions Institute to drive radical change.
“Too many pregnant women, mothers and babies are facing deep-rooted inequities and poor life outcomes. We’re proud to support the BCI to help drive systemic change and support the communities most affected to be at the heart of creating solutions.”
Claire McGread, Programme Director for Getting Started at the Henry Smith Foundation
“The first 1001 days of a child's life are critical for their development, yet many of our systems cause trauma and harm to mothers and their children during this time. We’re proud to support the Birth Companions Institute as it builds evidence about these challenges, whilst centering lived experience, and gets it in the hands of key decision-makers. This strongly aligns with our commitment to improving the early years so that every mother and baby can thrive.”
Shirin Shah, Portfolio Manager at Impact on Urban Health
We are happy to be working with funders who share our commitment to tackling health and social inequity and supporting systemic change. Their support will help us challenge the status quo and co-create solutions that centre dignity, compassion and care. As we move forward, we remain focused on the issues that lie at the heart of these inequities: poverty, racism, housing insecurity, migration, isolation, and the lack of holistic statutory support for women and families. These are the challenges we must confront, together.
The Birth Companions Institute is here to lead change, but we cannot do it alone. We are still seeking partnerships and support from funders, policymakers, academics, service providers, journalists and advocates. Whether you want to fund our work, partner with us, or help in other ways, there is a role for you in this movement. Together, we can build a future where every mother and baby—regardless of their circumstances—has the chance to thrive.
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