Meet the Team
We are an experienced and growing team of doulas, trauma therapists, antenatal teachers, human rights specialists and infant feeding supporters. Together, we are dedicated to serving women/pregnant and birthing people and their babies during times of financial hardship and disadvantage.
Kate Woods
Founder, CEO
Kate has been working with women, families and healthcare professionals for over 26 years as a Doula, mentor, birth story supporter and Doula educator. During this time, Kate has been actively supporting human/women's rights within the childbearing year and has a deep understanding of how continuous support, informed decision making and education are pivotal in improving birth. Kate believes that collaborating with survivors and victims of trauma towards best outcomes brings improved birth experiences, helps with early bonding and attachment for new families and as a result, contributes towards positive societal change.
Within DWB, Kate focuses on referrals and education and is currently (2021) involved in 'Mother Tongue', a new project, offering funded places for Doula training to those with English as a second language.
For the last 15 years, alongside continuing to attend to emerging families, Kate has been focused on educating, writing and delivering trauma informed training packages for doulas, survivors' organisations and healthcare professionals.
Kate is a mental health first-aider and continues to work as the founder of Conscious Birthing Doulas and TIDE (Trauma Informed Doula Education).
Katy Massey
Referrals Coordinator
Alison Ogier
Head of Community Eldership
Alison is an experienced Doula and mentor who is passionate about all things birth and empowering women - whatever their circumstance. Alison has worked in this field in the Channel Islands and the UK. She moved from Guernsey to the UK in 1998, and has 6 children ranging from 13-23 years old.
Alison has served on the Leadership Team of Doula UK since 2012 and is currently a Director as well as Head of Mentoring and Secretariat. She also sits on the Maternity and Midwifery Forum Advisory Panel.
Mary McCarthy
Consultant Elder Supporting Perinatal Mental Health, Gypsies and Travellers
Mary is a midwife in the NHS holding a caseload of women experiencing vulnerable times and young parents, and facilitates safeguarding supervision to midwives. Prior to training as a midwife, Mary worked with women experiencing homelessness in London and then went on to train as a doula.
Mary has volunteered in the refugee camps in northern France and supported refugee families within the UK which has included supporting women in pregnancy, labour and the postpartum time as a layperson/doula. Mary has two children and is passionate about being with women during challenging times and supporting others who are undertaking this work.
Sarah Stephen-Smith
Consultant Elder, offering specialist knowledge in supporting trafficked women and those in the criminal justice system.
Sarah’s background includes birth, breastfeeding and postnatal support and more than 10 years’ experience of direct work with women with complex care and support needs, including trafficked women and women in prison.
She was shortlisted for the Doula UK Doula of the Year and Outstanding Contribution of the Year Awards in 2018 and is thrilled to join the Doulas Without Borders team.
Amina Hatia
Consultant Elder for baby loss and Community Elder.
Amina is a midwife working currently in both the NHS and charity sector, having been involved in midwifery care since 2005. She has been working since 2016 for Tommy's as midwife one of a team of midwives who provide advice and support via the Pregnancy Information service from advice on early pregnancy support, lifestyle issues, to complex health issues and baby loss.
Amina is a passionate advocate for women and families achieving the best birth experience for them, using knowledge and empowerment gained from women centred education, support and care, believing that the core of midwifery is embedded in kindness and support.
Julie Scrancher
Consultant Elder, Infant feeding specialist
Julie Scrancher is a Nurse/Midwife, currently working as a part-time Tongue Tie Practitioner for the NHS.
Julie has worked in many areas of the UK both in hospitals and the community since the late 1970's. More recently, her work has been confined to Infant Feeding both by instructing Midwives and Health Visitors how feeding works and they can help parents. Alongside this, she trains mothers to help other mothers as Peer Supporters. Julie has also run Lactation clinics, as well as starting up and supporting Breastfeeding Support Groups. Julie is a qualified Lactation consultant and wishes to continue to help Mothers on their feeding journey.
Hazel Williams
Co-director and Consultant Elder offering specialist support in the rights for people seeking asylum and migrants.
Hazel has been working and volunteering with refugees and people seeking asylum for the past 20 years in various charities in the UK, Europe and Africa, to ensure their rights and dignity are protected. She is currently the Director of a national network of organisations seeking to end destitution amongst migrants, and prior to this was the Director of a national legal charity protecting the legal rights to food and shelter for people seeking asylum.
After the birth of her two children she was naturally drawn to train as a doula, in the hope of supporting women to birth with confidence. Hazel is a firm believer in the power of human kind and the importance of standing alongside people to support them to uphold their human rights. She is excited to be part of Doulas without Borders.