Doula Care UK is a private doula service from Bethel Health & Healing Network offering non-clinical emotional support during pregnancy and birth. We provide three levels of support, including a package with up to 8 hours of in-person birth support.
No. Doulas are not clinicians. We work alongside your NHS maternity team and do not provide medical advice.
In-person options are focused on Birmingham, Sandwell and the wider West Midlands. Emotional support sessions may be available online beyond this area.
A doula is a trained support person who offers emotional reassurance, continuity and practical support to you (and your birth partner) during pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period. Doulas focus on how you feel and what you need, and help you feel more confident and supported.
No. A midwife provides clinical care. A doula provides non-clinical emotional support, comfort measures, and helps you feel informed and heard. We support you alongside NHS care, not instead of it.
It means we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, clinical assessments, or treatment. We don’t take observations, interpret scans, advise medication, or override clinical guidance. Instead, we help you process information, ask questions, and feel calm and supported.
Depending on your package, support can include:
We do not provide:
Yes. If you choose Level 3 (Complete Care), we can support you in-person at home or hospital, depending on location, doula availability, and your agreed plan.
Yes. Doulas can support you emotionally through any planned pathway (induction, caesarean, vaginal birth, VBAC). Your plan should always be led clinically by your maternity team.
We can offer compassionate emotional support within our scope. If you are experiencing loss or bereavement, we will also signpost you to specialist bereavement services where needed.
We offer three levels:
You can find out more about the packages here.
A session is a planned support meeting. The exact length is confirmed in your booking agreement (for example, 45 minutes or 60 minutes). We keep it consistent so you always know what to expect.
Often, yes. Some families start with Level 1 or 2 and upgrade to Level 3 if they later want birth support (subject to doula availability and due date).
If capacity allows, yes. You can usually add extra sessions at an agreed rate.
It means your doula can be physically present during labour/birth for up to 8 hours. The aim is to offer meaningful presence while keeping the service sustainable and fairly priced.
Your plan will confirm this clearly, but typically:
If you want additional time beyond 8 hours, we can sometimes offer:
We can agree a due window and communication expectations. ‘On-call’ terms vary by doula and package, and will be clearly stated in your agreement so you know what you are (and aren’t) paying for
You’re welcome to enquire at any stage. Some families prefer to begin once pregnancy is established; others seek support early due to anxiety or previous loss. Availability and suitability will be discussed sensitively.
It means your paid booking helps fund support for another family through Bethel. You receive private doula support, and part of the value supports a mother who otherwise couldn’t access similar care.
Yes. Doula Care UK is our private service, but Bethel Health & Healing Network also runs a charitable doula service for mums who may be vulnerable or unable to afford private support: Bethel Doula Service – Bethel Health & Healing Network Bethel Health and Healing Network
Because places are limited and referrals are prioritised based on need and eligibility, we can’t guarantee availability – but we do encourage you to reach out so our team can advise on the most appropriate support.
Doula Care UK is a service under Bethel Health & Healing Network. It operates as a social-enterprise model that supports Bethel’s charitable work.
Yes, you can. Many micro-providers come from a wide range of backgrounds and do not have formal care experience. Lived experience, personal skills, and qualities such as empathy, reliability, and good communication are often just as valuable. You should only offer support that you feel confident and competent to provide, and always work within your skills and knowledge. Some types of support, including personal care, medication support, or specialist tasks, require specific training or registration. If you need to develop skills, the Local Help My Way team can signpost you to relevant training, much of which is free.
You should charge a fair and transparent hourly rate that is clearly agreed with the person you support and written into your contract. Your rate should reflect the type of support you offer, your experience, and any specialist skills. As a guide, rates usually align with Direct Payment rates (currently £16.59 per hour), but we generally suggest around £20 per hour for most micro-providers to cover time, costs, and responsibilities. If you charge £22.50 per hour or more for specialist services, you must inform the Staffordshire Micro-Providers Network. Sample contracts and pricing templates are available to help in the resources section of this site.
As a micro-provider, you are self-employed and are paid directly by the person you support or their representative. Payment may come from the person’s own money or through a Direct Payment from the local council. A Direct Payment allows someone to arrange and manage their own support. You must have a written contract that clearly sets out your rate, payment method, frequency, and notice periods. You are responsible for invoicing, record keeping, and managing your own tax and National Insurance. Local Help My Way does not handle payments.
If you are unwell, let the person you support (and their family or advocate, if appropriate) know as soon as possible. Do not work if you are not well enough, as your wellbeing and the safety of the person you support are equally important. You should agree a Plan B in advance so everyone knows what will happen if you are unavailable. You may suggest other micro-providers, but the person must choose who they contact. You must not arrange cover yourself. Using a clear contract helps set expectations and reduces stress if illness occurs.
A Personal Assistant (PA) usually works for one person or family and is legally treated as an employee, even when paid through a Direct Payment. This means the person receiving support is responsible for employment duties such as tax, insurance, and holidays. A micro-provider is self-employed and runs their own small business. They can support more than one person, set their own availability, and hold their own contracts and insurance. Both roles provide person-centred support, but the key difference is that a PA is employed by the person, while a micro-provider works independently.
No, we can’t guarantee work. Local Help My Way is not an agency. We provide a platform that helps people find and choose local micro-providers, but individuals decide who they contact and work with. We do not allocate work, arrange bookings, or secure clients on your behalf. Our role is to support you to meet quality standards, set up safely, and promote your services so you are visible to people seeking support. This approach protects people’s choice and ensures that micro-providers remain independent and in control of their work.
Sometimes a match doesn’t work out, and that’s okay. The most important thing is that both you and the person you support feel safe, respected, and comfortable. Where possible, try to talk things through first. If the situation doesn’t improve, either of you can end the arrangement in line with the notice period in your contract, usually 7–14 days unless there are serious concerns. You may suggest other micro-providers, but the person must choose who to contact. Clear contracts help make this process fair and straightforward.
If you are concerned that someone may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect, you must act immediately. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and keeping people safe always comes first. Follow Staffordshire’s safeguarding procedures and report concerns to the appropriate service, such as the local authority safeguarding team. If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services straight away. Keep clear, factual records of what you have seen or been told. If you are unsure what to do, the Local Help My Way team can provide advice and support.
