What Doula UK CIC does

Doula UK CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC number 6771278) founded in April 2001 and registered in England and Wales. It is the only UK-wide membership organisation for birth and postnatal doulas, with over 700 vetted members working across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The organisation is led by a volunteer Leadership Team and supported by two part-time staff members (Sarah Robinson and Michele McFarlane). Its mission is to promote life-changing support from skilled doulas for families in the childbearing year and to advocate for better maternity care.

The core product is a two-sided ecosystem: a 'Find a Doula' directory that connects families with doulas by location, due date, and support type, and a structured member pathway comprising introductory workshops (£35), Doula UK Approved training courses delivered by partner providers (fees £550 to £1,495), mentoring and recognition (£300 per track, £600 total), and ongoing membership (£25 joining fee plus £9.50/month). Complementary offerings include The Doula UK Podcast, an annual three-day conference, monthly CPD Community Circles, a CPD Partnership Programme, a Resolution Centre for Code of Conduct enforcement, and an alternative pathway for experienced doulas with non-Doula-UK training (£200). The technology stack is a standard CMS-based website without proprietary AI features, APIs, or SDKs.

Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring subscriptions (membership £114/year, CPD premium £10/month, course provider £30/month, overseas £40/year), one-time fees (mentoring, workshops, approved course fees via partners), and donations to the Access Fund, which provides free doula support to vulnerable families. Marketing is driven by earned media (regular BBC, Guardian, ITV, Vogue coverage), a national podcast, social media, and community-led referral through area representatives. Strategic positioning is anchored in evidence-based outcomes: 97% breastfeeding rates among birth clients, 83% among postnatal clients, and 65% spontaneous vaginal births versus a 46% national average.

Name

Doula UK CIC

Legal name

Doula UK CIC

Website

https://doula.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Doula UK CIC is a UK-wide not-for-profit Community Interest Company that accredits, trains, and supports a 700+ member network of birth and postnatal doulas, connecting families seeking continuous maternity support with vetted practitioners through a directory, structured training, and mentoring programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maternal and perinatal support services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Postpartum Newborn Care & Parent Education (NCS) (HSAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Newborn/Infant Mother’s Helper Support (HSAAAGAB), Newborn Care Specialist Placement, Matching & Staffing Services (HSAAACAK), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Birth doula support
• Postnatal doula services
• Doula training courses
• Doula membership association
• Maternal health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Marks Tey, Colchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Doula Membership Subscriptions: Annual revenue from member subscriptions: £25 joining fee plus £9.50 monthly subscription (£114 per year). Includes directory listing, mentoring access, community resources, events discounts, and use of Doula UK logo.
2. Mentoring Fees: Revenue from mentoring and recognition process: £300 for birth doula recognition, £300 for postnatal doula recognition (£600 total for both). Fees are paid directly to mentors in installments.
3. Alternative Pathway Workshop: Online training workshop for experienced doulas and birth professionals comprising two modules. Cost: £200.
4. Overseas Membership: International membership for doulas living outside the UK who have completed Doula UK approved training. Cost: £40 per year.
5. CPD Partnership Subscriptions: Basic CPD listing is free; Premium CPD Partner subscription costs £10 per month, featuring courses in monthly newsletters with 100-word description, image, and link.
6. Course Provider Subscriptions: Doula UK Course Provider subscription at £30 per month. Diversity-led organisations (51%+ from marginalised communities) may qualify for bursary covering first two years. Also requires £30 non-refundable application fee.
7. Doula Training Courses: Approved course fees from partner training providers ranging from £550 to £1,495. Includes Nurturing Birth (£1,495), Conscious Birthing (£850-£1,000), The Doula Training Foundation (£995), Younique Postnatal (£875 in-person/£825 virtual), Developing Doulas (£885 or £550 for specialist), Doulas of NI (£850), Side By Side Doulas (£550).
8. Friend of Doula UK Membership: Non-doula membership for supporters. Cost: £25 per year. Includes event discounts, news updates, eligibility for volunteer roles and AGM attendance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Doula UK CIC is a Community Interest Company that connects families with vetted birth and postnatal doulas through its Find a Doula directory, delivers doula training and mentoring/recognition pathways, and advocates for better maternity care. Its core offerings include the doula directory, member training courses, mentoring and recognition, membership subscriptions, the Access Fund for vulnerable families, CPD partnerships, events/conferences, and The Doula podcast.

Product overview

Doula UK CIC operates as a membership-based organization offering a coordinated suite of services centered on birth and postnatal doula support across the UK. The core product ecosystem includes a Find a Doula directory connecting families with vetted doulas, direct birth and postnatal support services, and an Access Fund providing free support to vulnerable families. Training pathways encompass multiple Doula UK Approved courses (Nurturing Birth, Conscious Birthing, The Doula Training Foundation, Younique Postnatal, Developing Doulas, Doulas of Northern Ireland, Side By Side Doulas), an Introductory Workshop, an Alternative Pathway for experienced doulas, and a structured Mentoring and Recognition Programme. Complementary offerings include The Doula podcast, annual conferences, CPD Community Circles, a CPD Partnership Programme, and membership tiers including Friend of Doula UK and Overseas Membership. The Resolution Centre provides governance oversight for Code of Conduct compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Find a Doula Directory Online searchable directory allowing families to find and connect with Doula UK approved doulas based on type of support (birth or postnatal), due date, and postcode location, with travel range filters.
• Birth Doula Support Practical, emotional, and nurturing support to the whole family during pregnancy, labour, and birth, delivered by Doula UK approved doulas.
• Postnatal Doula Support Support for families in their home after the birth of a baby, including infant feeding support, newborn care, and parental wellbeing, delivered by Doula UK approved postnatal doulas.
• Access Fund Provides free doula support during pregnancy, labour, and after the birth of a baby to mothers and birthing people experiencing disadvantage and financial hardship.
• Standard Doula Membership Subscription membership for working doulas, including a £25 joining fee plus £9.50 monthly subscription, directory profile, access to 700+ doula community, mentoring, area rep networking, logo usage, events and CPD discounts, member resources, and the Doula Support Network.
• Introductory Workshop Three-hour interactive online workshop introducing aspiring doulas to the life and work of a doula, training options, mentoring, joining Doula UK, and setting up a doula business. Costs £35 with bursary places.
• Alternative Pathway Workshop Online two-module training programme for experienced doulas (15+ births or 300 postnatal hours) or those with comprehensive doula training elsewhere to join Doula UK. Costs £200.
• Nurturing Birth Approved Course Doula UK Approved birth and postnatal doula preparation course running across UK cities and online. Cost £1,495 with payment plans and scholarships available.
• Conscious Birthing Approved Course Doula UK Approved full spectrum birthkeeper/doula preparation course available in-person and online with various formats including 'Brilliant Basics' and 'Deep Dive' options. Cost £850–£1,000.
• The Doula Training Foundation Approved Course A 4-day immersive in-person doula preparation course based in Cheshire and the home counties. Cost £995 with 50% discount available for marginalised backgrounds.
• Younique Postnatal Approved Course Doula UK Approved full spectrum postnatal doula course offered in-person in London and West Sussex, and virtually over Zoom. Cost £875 in-person and £825 virtual.
• Developing Doulas Approved Course Doula UK Approved birth and postpartum doula preparation with a specialist postpartum option, available online and in-person around the UK. Cost £885 or £550 for specialist postnatal.
• Doulas of Northern Ireland Approved Course Doula UK Approved doula preparation course run over 2 weekends spread over 3 months, tailored to the Northern Ireland birthing community. Cost £850.
• Side By Side Doulas Approved Course Doula UK Approved online doula preparation course delivered via Zoom with options for two-week intensive or eleven weekly evening sessions. Cost £550 with inclusive practices and free places for marginalised groups.
• Mentoring and Recognition Programme Structured mentorship programme for new doulas to complete recognition with Doula UK, with access to around 60 experienced mentors. Cost £300 for birth recognition, £300 for postnatal recognition.
• Overseas Membership Membership pathway for doulas living outside the UK who have completed Doula UK approved training or equivalent. Cost £40 per year with access to mentoring, events, and member resources.
• Friend of Doula UK Membership Non-doula membership for supporters, offering event discounts, news updates, eligibility for volunteer roles, and AGM attendance. Cost £25 per year.
• CPD Partnership Programme Continuing professional development partnership offering for course providers, with a free Basic listing or £10/month Premium listing featuring the provider in the monthly member newsletter with 100-word description, image, and link.
• The Doula UK Podcast Weekly podcast hosted by Leila Baker featuring conversations with birth professionals on topics including mentoring, hypnobirthing, supporting Trans families, Black maternal experience, baby loss, birth trauma, and breastfeeding.
• Annual Doula UK Conference Annual three-day online conference bringing together leading voices in birth and postnatal world, offering workshops and talks. The 2025 conference took place 21st–23rd March and celebrated 25 years of Doula UK.
• Doula CPD Community Circle Monthly online community circles for doula professional development, knowledge sharing, and connecting with other doulas. Cost £5 (members £2), held first Wednesday of each month.
• Resolution Centre Investigation process for breaches of Doula UK Code of Conduct, managed by a panel of three experienced Doula UK members with the aim to provide an outcome within 8 working weeks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of birth clients breastfed their baby
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NHS EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024In 2024 Doula UK contributed to the Parliamentary Birth Trauma inquiry and the Birth Experience Study (BESt-UK) investigating obstetric violence and birth trauma. Impact of birth is now part of NHS England planning.
• Maternal Mental Health AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK is a member of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance and attends national level meetings to improve maternity care with partners who share their aims.
• Baby Loss Awareness AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK is a member of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, pooling knowledge and resources to advocate for improving the birthing and postnatal experience for families.
• Baby Feeding Law GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK is a member of the Baby Feeding Law Group, working with partners to advocate for better infant feeding support and policy.
• European Doula NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK is a member of the European Doula Network and attends European level meetings to improve maternity care. Doulas have access to European Doula Network membership benefits.
• Royal College of Midwives (RCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK collaborates with RCM on the RE:Birth project and is involved in the NMC Statement on Doulas video. Both organisations share aims of improving maternity care.
• Make Birth BettercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK works with Make Birth Better, a community interest company devoted to reducing the impact of birth trauma. Doula UK podcast has featured Make Birth Better founders. Partners share aims of preventing birth trauma.
• Best BeginningsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK partners with Best Beginnings and attends national level meetings to improve maternity care with partners who share their aims.
• BirthrightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK partners with Birthrights and attends national level meetings. Birthrights focuses on human rights in childbirth; both organisations advocate for informed choice.
• AIMs (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK attends national level meetings with AIMs to improve maternity care with partners who share their aims of advocating for better support.
• Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK engages with Sands and attends national level meetings to improve maternity care, supporting families through baby loss.
• 1001 DaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK engages with 1001 Days and attends national level meetings to improve maternity care, focusing on the critical first 1001 days of life.
• The Motherhood GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK partners with The Motherhood Group and attends national level meetings to improve maternity care.
• National Homebirth Standards Working GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK is a member of the National Homebirth Standards Working Group, contributing to developing standards for home birth services.
• East Ambulance ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoula UK is collaborating with East Ambulance Service on a statement regarding Doulas, clarifying the role and scope of doulas in emergency situations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Birthing From Within: International organisation offering doula and childbirth-educator training and certification. Directly comparable as a doula training and accreditation body with similar course-approval and mentor-driven pathways.
• The Breastfeeding Network: UK charity providing breastfeeding support, training and peer-counsellor programmes. Comparable to Doula UK in structure — a membership/community of trained supporters with national coverage and policy engagement — and overlapping in Doula UK's infant-feeding domain.
• DONA International: The largest international doula training and certification body. Directly comparable as a membership-and-accreditation organisation for birth and postnatal doulas, operating a similar approved-training and recognition pathway model.
• CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association): US-based organisation offering certification for birth and postpartum doulas, lactation educators and childbirth educators. Closely comparable to Doula UK in offering structured training pathways, membership, and a professional directory for families.
• Childbirth International: Global online training and certification provider for birth and postpartum doulas. Comparable to Doula UK in offering remote doula certification with recognised status, competing for the same aspiring-doula audience.
• European Doula Network: Federation of European doula organisations of which Doula UK is a member. Direct peer and partner — operates a similar national-organisation-to-international-organisation model for doula accreditation and standards harmonisation across Europe.
• La Leche League GB: UK organisation providing breastfeeding support, training and accreditation of breastfeeding counsellors. Comparable as a volunteer-led, UK membership-based maternal-support body with training, recognition and parent-education functions that overlap with Doula UK's postnatal offering.

Emerging players

• Make Birth Better: UK Community Interest Company focused on preventing birth trauma through education, training and resources. Closely comparable as a small UK CIC in the maternal-health space with overlapping audience, partnerships and advocacy goals; an emerging player with growing influence.

Broad incumbents

• NCT (National Childbirth Trust): The UK's largest charity for parents, offering antenatal education, breastfeeding support and postnatal services. A UK broad incumbent in the same maternal-health and parent-education space, with overlapping audience but a much wider scope than doula-specific work.

Regional players

• Active Birth Centre: UK-based centre offering antenatal classes, birth preparation and postnatal services including doula training. Comparable to Doula UK in providing in-person and remote training for birth professionals and parent education, though more London-centric.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DoulaUK
• Instagraminstagram.com/doulauk
• Xx.com/DoulaUK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/DoulaUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/doula-uk-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Doula UK CIC