News post
Introducing the Birth Companions Institute
15 Sep 2025
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A new centre of expertise for better care, equity and justice in pregnancy and early motherhood
A new centre of expertise for better care, equity and justice in pregnancy and early motherhood
Today (15 September) marks the launch of the Birth Companions Institute, a new centre of expertise dedicated to achieving better care, equity and justice for pregnant women and mothers, and their babies.
This is a bold new step for Birth Companions. For 30 years we’ve supported women and babies facing severe disadvantage, and worked to change the structures, systems and services that shape their lives.
Now, through the Birth Companions Institute, we are taking that work to the next level through research, public affairs, policy, campaigns, consultancy, the law and the media.
The Institute will focus on building the evidence base, influencing policy, and developing practical solutions to tackle inequity in the first 1001 days of life, so that mothers thrive, and their children have the best possible start in life.
The Birth Companions Institute draws together the insights and expertise we gain through our support services, our Lived Experience Programme, our partnerships, and the research we and others lead in this space.
Our services are needed because deep-rooted issues such as poverty, racism, the housing crisis, hostility towards migrants and social isolation create such significant inequity; and because there is a lack of holistic, statutory support for women and their families.
Too often, women are not listened to. Their needs are overlooked. Their experiences are dismissed. The Institute is here to drive radical change, by centring the voices of women who have navigated some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable, building the evidence base, and shaping policy and practice.
We are launching the Birth Companions Institute now because an increasing number of pregnant women, mothers and babies are experiencing severe disadvantage in the UK today.
The evidence is overwhelming: the first 1001 days of a child’s life, from conception to age two, are critical to their development and to the lifelong health and wellbeing of children and mothers.
Adversity during this period can cause deep and lasting harm, not only for each child and mother, but for generations to come.
At the heart of the Birth Companions Institute is our Lived Experience Programme - a unique trauma-informed model supporting women who have experienced severe disadvantage in pregnancy and early motherhood to raise their voices and lead change.
These women bring vital insight to every aspect of our work. They understand what’s broken, because they’ve lived it. And they are working to build what comes next.
Our Lived Experience Programme challenges assumptions, holds systems to account, and co-creates solutions that centre dignity, compassion and care. This is about more than consultation or participation. It’s about shifting power. These women are reimagining the systems that act upon pregnant women, mothers, their families and their communities.
As Tia, a member of the Lived Experience Programme, says:
“Having many different lived experiences, I felt I needed to help others and have a voice. Being on the team makes me feel I'm not alone in these experiences, and most of all it makes me feel heard.”
The Birth Companions Institute will change things for the most disadvantaged mothers and babies here in the UK.
The Institute’s first ambitious projects include:
The Birth Companions Institute is here to drive radical change, but we cannot do it alone.
We are actively seeking long-term partnerships and support. Whether you’re a policymaker, funder, academic, service provider, journalist or advocate, there is a role for you in this work.
To find out more about the Birth Companions Institute and how you can get involved, please visit birthcompanions.org.uk/institute or contact us at institute@birthcompanions.org.uk.