Celebrating International Day of the Midwife: midwives leading change, improving lives

Investing in midwives, investing in health
“On International Day of the Midwife, we recognise midwives as leaders, innovators and advocates for health. Their work improves care at every level, from community based antenatal support to global health leadership.
At the Burdett Trust for Nursing, we are proud to support midwife led projects that demonstrate what is possible when midwives are empowered with the resources, evidence and leadership opportunities they need to thrive.”

Clare Cable, Chief Executive

Through our funding, we are proud to support midwives who are driving change, strengthening services and putting individuals and families at the centre of care.

Explore the Burdett funded projects featured below and discover how midwives are leading change in maternity care in the UK and around the world.

Improving access to maternity care and reducing inequalities

Several Burdett funded projects demonstrate how midwives are improving access to care for women who face the greatest barriers.

The EnhANCe project, led by Wellbeing of Women, is a midwife led intervention focused on improving antenatal care uptake in ethnically diverse and socially deprived communities. By working closely with women and local services, the project is helping to address long standing inequalities in maternity care and ensure more people receive timely, appropriate support during pregnancy.

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Similarly, Burdett has supported midwife led community initiatives that strengthen preventive and responsive care. The Midwife led Community Transformation (MILCOT) project focuses on building the resilience and leadership of midwives and nurses, enabling them to deliver effective, community based services that respond to local health needs.

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Compassionate care through pregnancy loss and bereavement

Midwives also play a crucial role in supporting individuals and families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Burdett funded projects are helping to improve care, understanding and compassion following pregnancy and infant loss.

The PEARL Study, led by Queen’s University Belfast, is co developing and piloting a trauma informed, nurse and midwife led bereavement support programme following pregnancy loss. Designed in close partnership with individuals with lived experience, healthcare professionals and voluntary sector organisations, the programme centres the expertise of midwives and women who have experienced loss within a dual facilitation model that combines clinical insight with peer support. Through a structured group workshop and follow up support, PEARL aims to strengthen emotional wellbeing, reduce isolation and ensure bereavement care is compassionate, acceptable and shaped by the voices of women who have experienced loss.

Midwives driving innovation in maternity care

Innovation is another area where midwives are leading the way. Burdett funded research and service development projects are exploring new approaches to care that improve experiences for women and families.

At Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, maternity staff, researchers, maternity advocates are co producing Tetum language multimedia maternity resources with East Timorese women and birthing people to improve access to information and experiences of care during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Tetum is one of the most frequently translated languages at the trust. Through service user workshops and close collaboration with maternity staff, the project is developing video resources on topics identified as priorities by families, including nutrition, postnatal mental health and contraception. By improving understanding through families’ own, under-resourced language, the project supports more accessible, inclusive and safer maternity care for East Timorese mothers and babies in the UK.

Global impact and midwifery leadership

Burdett funded midwifery projects extend beyond the UK, supporting midwives working in challenging contexts around the world.

The Uganda Childbirth Injury Fund supports the training of nurses and midwives to care for women living with obstetric trauma in refugee settlements. This work strengthens clinical skills, restores dignity, and improves outcomes for women who have often experienced prolonged suffering with limited access to care.

Through support for conferences and leadership programmes, Burdett also helps to raise the profile of midwifery globally. In Uganda, Burdett funding has supported national nursing and midwifery conferences that celebrate professional legacy, share knowledge and strengthen leadership across the workforce.

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