Fifteen charities working to support pregnant women and new mums are to share £1m of government funding.

Amma Birth Companions – a charity that supports refugees, asylum seekers and women living in poverty in Scotland – is one of the 15 charities named by the Scottish government to receive a cash injection.

The perinatal and infant mental health fund is part of a programme of support set out in the 2019-20 Programme for Government that spans counselling, peer and parental support geared towards improving the life chances of pregnant women, new mums and their families.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey says the support provided by third sector organisations like Amma is more important now than ever because of the impact of covid-19:

“We want all mothers and their families to have access to good mental health care throughout pregnancy and during the postnatal period.

“…The fund will allow one-to-one support for organisations to help provide the care that women and their families need across Scotland.”

Sarah Zadik, Manager and Co-Founder at Amma says the funding will enable her organisation to reach even more women that would otherwise face pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood alone.

Other recipients include: Aberlour; Barnardo's; Home Start Glasgow North and NL; Midlothian; Sure Start; Stepping Stones North Ed; Home-Start East Highland / Caithness; PND Borders; Home-Start Dunfermlin; Quarriers; CrossReach; Human Development Scotland; Action for Children; Healthy Valleys; and Maternal Mental Health Scotland.

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