Association of Radical MidwivesAssociation of Radical MidwivesARMARM

Midwifery Matters!Midwifery Matters!

IntroductionIntroduction

Who are we?Who are we? What are our objectives?What are our objectives? How did we start?How did we start? Why radical?Why radical? FundingFunding AchievementsAchievements The ARM todayThe ARM today

Who are we?Who are we?

Midwives Midwives NHS NHS IndependentIndependent Lecturers, Lecturers, ResearchersResearchers UnemployedUnemployed RetiredRetired

Student MidwivesStudent Midwives Mothers & fathersMothers & fathers Anyone interested in improving maternity care in Anyone interested in improving maternity care in

the UK!the UK!

Who are we?Who are we?

Primarily a group for midwives & mothers Primarily a group for midwives & mothers who are struggling to give or receive good who are struggling to give or receive good quality maternity care.quality maternity care.

Registered charity No. 1060525Registered charity No. 1060525

We have close links with other We have close links with other organisations such as AIMS, NCT, IMUK organisations such as AIMS, NCT, IMUK and the RCM.and the RCM.

ObjectivesObjectives

Are to,Are to, Re-establish the confidence of the midwife in her/his own skills as an Re-establish the confidence of the midwife in her/his own skills as an

autonomous practitioner.autonomous practitioner.

Share ideas, skills and information with colleagues and clients.Share ideas, skills and information with colleagues and clients.

Help midwives in their role as advocate for women’s active participation in Help midwives in their role as advocate for women’s active participation in maternity care.maternity care.

Support midwives in their efforts to provide continuity of carer.Support midwives in their efforts to provide continuity of carer.

Support midwives in delivering diverse patterns of care.Support midwives in delivering diverse patterns of care.

Encourage the evaluation of research & development within midwifery practice.Encourage the evaluation of research & development within midwifery practice.

OriginsOrigins

1976, two student midwives shared their 1976, two student midwives shared their frustration with increasing medical frustration with increasing medical interventions in maternity care.interventions in maternity care.

Held regular meetings for mutual Held regular meetings for mutual support/study – soon others joined.support/study – soon others joined.

In 1978, the regular newsletter began – In 1978, the regular newsletter began – Midwifery Matters. Midwifery Matters.

Radical?Radical?

Lots of ‘radical’ associations in the 1970’s!Lots of ‘radical’ associations in the 1970’s!

Definition of radical: pertaining to roots / Definition of radical: pertaining to roots / origins / basic principles (i.e. of midwifery).origins / basic principles (i.e. of midwifery).

Play on words – initials ARM stood for Play on words – initials ARM stood for Artificial Rupture of MembranesArtificial Rupture of Membranes..

Controversial?Controversial?

FundingFunding

Membership feesMembership fees

Gift aidGift aid

Sale of goodsSale of goods

Conference / meetings (break even policy)Conference / meetings (break even policy)

AchievementsAchievements

Publications: Publications: 1986 The Vision/2013 The New Vision - Proposals for 1986 The Vision/2013 The New Vision - Proposals for

the future of the Maternity Servicesthe future of the Maternity Services

““What is a Midwife?” leafletWhat is a Midwife?” leaflet

1999 “Vision for Midwifery Education” - suggestions to 1999 “Vision for Midwifery Education” - suggestions to improve training.improve training.

Responses to various government papers, including Responses to various government papers, including most recent NHS white papermost recent NHS white paper

AchievementsAchievements

UKMid list - a Yahoo group with 3500 members UKMid list - a Yahoo group with 3500 members worldwide: worldwide: ukmidwifery@yahoogroups.com

Membership of House of Commons Health Membership of House of Commons Health Committee - 1992 Winterton ReportCommittee - 1992 Winterton Report

Membership of Expert Maternity Group - 1993 Membership of Expert Maternity Group - 1993 Changing ChildbirthChanging Childbirth

Seats on ICM and EMA councilsSeats on ICM and EMA councils

AchievementsAchievements

Our working group “Midwives Information and Our working group “Midwives Information and Resource Service” became an independent Resource Service” became an independent charity in 1984 - MIDIRS.charity in 1984 - MIDIRS.

Yurt Project – 2005Yurt Project – 2005

Annual study day in Wigan Annual study day in Wigan

National Conference every yearNational Conference every year

ARM todayARM today

Steering group - elected members. Secretary, Steering group - elected members. Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Magazine Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Magazine Editor.Editor.

ARM helpline / media contactARM helpline / media contact

Quarterly meetings around the country - steering Quarterly meetings around the country - steering group / national meeting / study session / group / national meeting / study session / workshopsworkshops

Quarterly magazine - Midwifery Matters.Quarterly magazine - Midwifery Matters.

ARM todayARM today

Local contactsLocal contacts

Local groups - regular meetingsLocal groups - regular meetings

Yahoo group Yahoo group

Website: www.midwifery.org.uk Website: www.midwifery.org.uk

National ConferenceNational Conference

Birth Choices Birth Choices Nottingham on March 14Nottingham on March 14thth 2014. 2014.

See web site See web site www.midwifery.org.uk

Yurt projectYurt project

A safe space for pregnant women, A safe space for pregnant women, mothers, families to relax / chat / meet with mothers, families to relax / chat / meet with midwives at music festivals.midwives at music festivals.

Includes Buddha Fields, Glastonbury, Includes Buddha Fields, Glastonbury, Solfest and others.Solfest and others.

Separate Yahoo group for members Separate Yahoo group for members interested in ‘womaning’ the yurt - includes interested in ‘womaning’ the yurt - includes festival pass...festival pass...

The The YurtYurt

Annual RetreatAnnual Retreat

A week of rest and relaxation with like- A week of rest and relaxation with like- minded ARM members.minded ARM members.

Join in as much / as little as you likeJoin in as much / as little as you like Various locations - self catering / cleaningVarious locations - self catering / cleaning Shared veggie meals, daily ‘topic’ for Shared veggie meals, daily ‘topic’ for

discussion...discussion... Coincides with autumn national meetingCoincides with autumn national meeting Workshops sometimes includedWorkshops sometimes included

Get involved!Get involved!

Local meetings:Local meetings: Informal or formalInformal or formal Caring and sharingCaring and sharing Research / subject discussionsResearch / subject discussions Event planning (study days / film nights)Event planning (study days / film nights) NetworkingNetworking Support and adviceSupport and advice Experience of organising / chairing meetings Experience of organising / chairing meetings

Get involved!Get involved!

Complete membership form and join!Complete membership form and join! Write about your experiences for MM!Write about your experiences for MM! Come to national meetings / study dayCome to national meetings / study day Book your place at the conferenceBook your place at the conference Join ukmidwifery@yahoogroups.comJoin ukmidwifery@yahoogroups.com Visit our websiteVisit our website

www.midwifery.org.ukwww.midwifery.org.uk