Welcome to Community of Cultures!
What is Community of Cultures?
Community of Cultures offers black and brown* women, birthing people and their families:
A brave and safer space to communicate their needs and experiences,
An opportunity to learn and find support amongst each other.
Guidance and insight from trained and representative specialists in their fields.
*We have chosen to use the terms ‘black and brown people’. However, we understand that not everyone identifies with these terms. We are open to receive your feedback and discuss how we can evolve our terminology.
Our aims are to:
Provide black and brown women, birthing people and families with objective, independent, evidence-based information.
Support families to make informed decisions about their choices before, during and after pregnancy.
Offer advocacy for communities most marginalised and most likely to have experienced racism during their birthing experience, in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner.
Improve the outcomes of these communities that are disproportionately affected by healthcare inequalities.
Who are we?
Community of Cultures is a black and brown-led initiative, part of Sheffield Maternity Cooperative and we pride ourselves on being able to offer free, open access to trained specialists that are representative of the people we aim to reach. We understand and appreciate the need for culturally aware and mutually understanding spaces, where one doesn’t have to explain themselves. As maternity specialists and healthcare professionals, we have first-hand knowledge, experience and insight of some of the most pressing issues and inequalities faced by black and brown birthing families of all ages and in all stages of their maternity journey.
We welcome discussion around all topics covering the reproductive journey - from fertility, abortion, pregnancy loss, pregnancy & maternity and into parenthood. No topic is a taboo and we offer a safe and appropriate space to discuss these topics.
We are passionate about providing an alternative space for black and brown birthing people to explore and understand their birthing rights, to take charge in their birthing journeys and be well-informed to make the best decisions for themselves and their care.
Click here to see the upcoming schedule for our new Instagram Live series ‘CoC Live’.
Why get involved?
Although we are experienced in the field, we are by no means experts. We believe you are the expert of your own experience. We are taking a community led approach and we invite you to to talk, listen, reflect or act on the issues or experiences most important to you.
Our sessions will give you the opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions, reflect and receive informed and meaningful feedback.
How can you help?
Would you be interested in sharing your knowledge, wisdom and expertise with black and brown women, birthing people and their families?
We are looking for guest speakers who are representative of the communities we aim to support. We are looking for people who actively align with the ethos and values of SMC, to join us for one of our 2 hour sessions to share information and offer support to those that attend with the hope of getting answers or gaining knowledge on a topic you specialise in.
We ask for guest speakers to prepare a 15 minute introduction/presentation of themselves and their specialism that invites discussion and conversation.
Additionally, it would be great if you could also offer an inclusive activity for participants to engage in whilst in session. This doesn’t have to be anything longer that 20 minutes.
How will your work be supported?
We would also like to support your involvement with Community of Cultures by offering you £20 per hour as a contribution for your time and wisdom! We are a not-for-profit initiative and our funding allows us to be able to offer these sessions for free, with the aim of wider engagement and inclusion.
We also see your involvement as part of a longer term process in which there will be opportunities to co-create, present, develop ideas and skills as a member of Community of Cultures and Sheffield Maternity Cooperative.
How to register your interest:
If you would like to get involved or learn more about our project, please email us at [email protected].
If you are interested in being a guest speaker, please let us know all of the dates and times you’re available by indicating in this Doodle Poll.
Please also indicate your answers to the criteria questions listed below:
What is your area of specialism that you would like to share with CoC?
Would you require facilitation support from the CoC team? YES/NO
Do you have any accessibility requests? YES/NO
If you would like to book on to our events or have any queries relating to our events, you can now WhatsApp us too! Our number is: 07804509392.