A PROJECT which supports women through pregnancy and childbirth has celebrated its fifth anniversary.

The Bradford Doula Project, which trains community volunteers to work with pregnant mums needing extra support, marked the occasion with a party.

Over the past five years the project has delivered help to 135 women, families and babies through its 36 volunteers, helping improve mother and baby well-being.

Funded by Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG), the project, based at the Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham, still has reserves in its latest grant to train a new batch of 18 new volunteers.

The volunteers help mums before and after the birth, and receive on-going training on drug and alcohol awareness, genetics and relationships, to make sure their support techniques are always up-to-date.

Yesterday, mums who have used the service were invited to the party to meet up with their doulas – a Greek word for wise-woman – and let them know how they are getting on.

Thirty-six-year-old Shamim Akhtar, of Girlington, who gave birth to her fourth child two months ago, was one of the mums.

"My mum is elderly and my sisters live in Birmingham,” she said.

“With three other very young children I needed the extra help. I wasn’t too sure at first but she was there when I needed her, she was with me when I went into labour. There’s no need for anyone to feel alone,” she said.

Bradford Doula co-ordinator Aliya Fazil said: “We’re always seeking more funding because it’s a vital service we offer. We’ve got some big opportunities coming up which is great. The idea is to keep it growing so we can help even more mums.”

Mum-of-two Liz Firth, 37, of Heaton, said she volunteered because she could make a difference to a family’s life. She said: “Ive just had my second baby and I’ve always been lucky enough to have a network of family and friends near me to help. If you don’t have that back-up it can be very hard.”

To find out more about the project call 01274 223203.