The Umeed Project:
The Umeed Project is a volunteer peer support programme for pregnant Pakistani women living in Manchester. The programme aims to promote a healthy pregnancy and improve outcomes for women at increased risk having a child born with a genetic condition.
 

What does Umeed and Api mean?
Umeed is an Urdu word for hope and Api is an Urdu word for big sister.
 

Why become an Umeed Volunteer Api?
Becoming a volunteer Api for the Umeed project is a rewarding and transformative experience that will stay with you for life. It will:

• help to make a real difference to the lives of the women you support as well as their families and will create a lasting impact that ripples through generations.
• help you to gain valuable insights into maternal health and the power of emotional support.
• enhance your skills, knowledge, and personal growth which may inform and assist your future work and personal development

 

Tasks:

• Befriend a mum-to-be who is referred to the project
• Meet in public areas or call her as mutually agreed on a regular basis
• Meet her face-to-face at least once every month
• Accompany to ante-natal class or appointments, if needed or necessary
• Effectively listening and displaying positive body language and communication skills
• Advocate for her if necessary or appropriate
• Giving encouragement and motivation and empowering her to make positive choices
• Respect her wishes
• Helping her to access appropriate services within her community
• Adhering to confidentiality
• Complete necessary paperwork
• Keeping touch with the team and seek advice and support whenever needed including attending supervisions
   

The Api will need to be able to develop a positive working relationship with:

• the mum-to-be
• health professionals as required
• the Umeed project team

 

Qualities and Skills Required:

• Flexible
• Non-judgmental
• Commitment to completing training
• Approachable
• Reliable
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Trustworthy
• Enthusiasti
• Advanced DBS check

 

Qualifications needed:
No formal qualifications are required as it important to have the personal attributes as above but all volunteers will be expected to attend 4 weeks training and pass the competency framework to understand the level of knowledge the volunteer Api has gained. Please note the minimum age for volunteering as a volunteer Api is 18 years old.

 

Training:

• Information session and an informal interview about the project
• Volunteer training –weekly training for 4 weeks covering; boundaries, confidentiality, communication skills and healthy pregnancy advice
• Further training opportunities will be on-going/annual and in accordance with the necessary skills identified during the project

 

Support:

• Individual supervision will be provided on a regular basis as agreed between the volunteer Api and the Umeed Coordinator to meet individual needs and provide support as required
• Support done through regular catch up sessions with fellow Umeed volunteers
• Volunteer travel expenses
• Use of mobile phone volunteering purposes

 

Time commitment:
You would need to commit to attending ALL the training sessions and supporting up to 4 expectant mums during their pregnancy. The more expectant mothers you support the more experience you will get from volunteering!