The Birth Partner Project Wins Second Place in Zurich’s Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024
12/10/2024
At Zurich, we value diversity and inclusion as key parts of a thriving community. Along with the Z Zurich Foundation, we are excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Awards. These awards honour projects that promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity within our communities. This year’s second place goes to ‘The Birth Partner Project’, recognised for their vital support to vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers.
About the Awards
The Zurich D&I Awards aim to highlight and reward initiatives that have a big impact on promoting inclusivity and creating value within communities. Our judging criteria focus on innovation, impact, ease of implementation and scalability, sustainability, and value creation.
This year, we received over 300 entries from various organisations, each showcasing incredible efforts to foster diversity and inclusion. The competition was tough, and we are proud to see such dedication to these vital causes.
The Runner-Up: The Birth Partner Project
We are thrilled to recognise ‘The Birth Partner Project’ for their outstanding work in supporting pregnant women and new mothers seeking sanctuary, who would otherwise face birth alone. This compassionate initiative ensures that these women have a trusted companion during childbirth and the early stages of motherhood.
The Birth Partner Project
The Birth Partner Project is dedicated to providing emotional and practical support to pregnant women and new mothers who may be facing difficult circumstances. The project pairs these women with trained volunteer birth partners who offer companionship, advocacy, and reassurance during childbirth and the early days of motherhood.
Impact and Success
The Birth Partner Project has made a significant impact on the lives of many women. By offering continuous support, the project helps to reduce anxiety, improve birth experiences, and promote positive maternal and infant health outcomes. The presence of a birth partner has been shown to increase the likelihood of a more positive birthing experience and better postnatal recovery.
Scaling Up and Future Plans
The Birth Partner Project is looking to expand its reach, with plans to train more volunteers and extend their services to additional communities. By scaling up, they aim to support even more vulnerable women, ensuring that no one has to face childbirth and early motherhood alone.
Endorsements and Testimonials
The Birth Partner Project has received heartfelt praise from the women they have supported, as well as from healthcare professionals. Many women have shared how the presence of a birth partner made a profound difference in their birthing experience, providing them with the strength and confidence they needed.
Comments from the Judging Panel
The judges were really impressed with The Birth Partner Project, which helps women during pregnancy, birth, and after giving birth, especially those who might be alone during these times. Samantha Owen praised the project for how much it improves the mental well-being of these women and the crucial support it provides when they're most vulnerable. She pointed out the project's success in expanding services to include a drop-in program and training volunteers, including former beneficiaries, to become birth partners themselves. Samantha highlighted that the project's efforts not only make a big difference for the mothers but also for their babies, saying, "The Birth Partner Project changes the stories and outcomes for mothers and their babies, providing crucial support during vulnerable times." This shows just how powerful community support can be.
The Birth Partner Project is a beacon of hope and support for pregnant women and new mothers seeking sanctuary. By providing trusted companions during childbirth and early motherhood, they are making a lasting positive impact on the lives of many. The Zurich Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024 celebrate this outstanding achievement, highlighting the power of compassionate and inclusive initiatives to create lasting positive change.
Find out more about the Birth Partner Project
For more information about The Birth Partner Project, visit their website and connect with them on Instagram. or Facebook.
Find out more about the other winners
We also want to highlight the incredible work of our runners up:
- Winner - Spark Inside: This year’s overall winner is ‘Spark Inside’, recognised for their innovative programme, The Black Hero’s Journey (BHJ). This innovative programme supports young Black and Mixed Heritage men in prison, providing a safe and empowering space for them to express themselves and reclaim their identities.
- 3rd Place - YOPEY Befrienders: This initiative connects young people with elderly residents in care homes, fostering intergenerational friendships and reducing loneliness for both parties. Read more about YOPEY Befrienders.
