1. Association of Radical Midwives ARM Midwifery Matters!

2. Introduction Who are we? Who are we? What are our objectives? What are our objectives? How did we start? How did we start? Why radical? Why radical? Funding Funding Achievements Achievements The ARM today The ARM today

3. Who are we? Midwives Midwives NHS NHS Independent Independent Lecturers, Lecturers, Researchers Researchers Unemployed Unemployed Retired Retired Student Midwives Student Midwives Mothers & fathers Mothers & fathers Anyone interested in improving maternity care in the UK! Anyone interested in improving maternity care in the UK!

4. Who are we? Primarily a group for midwives & mothers who are struggling to give or receive good quality maternity care. Primarily a group for midwives & mothers who are struggling to give or receive good quality maternity care. Registered charity No. 1060525 Registered charity No. 1060525 We have close links with other organisations such as AIMS, NCT, IMUK and the RCM. We have close links with other organisations such as AIMS, NCT, IMUK and the RCM.

5. Objectives Are to, Re-establish the confidence of the midwife in her/his own skills as an autonomous practitioner. Re-establish the confidence of the midwife in her/his own skills as an autonomous practitioner. Share ideas, skills and information with colleagues and clients. Share ideas, skills and information with colleagues and clients. Help midwives in their role as advocate for women’s active participation in maternity care. Help midwives in their role as advocate for women’s active participation in maternity care. Support midwives in their efforts to provide continuity of carer. Support midwives in their efforts to provide continuity of carer. Support midwives in delivering diverse patterns of care. Support midwives in delivering diverse patterns of care. Encourage the evaluation of research & development within midwifery practice. Encourage the evaluation of research & development within midwifery practice.

6. Origins 1976, two student midwives shared their frustration with increasing medical interventions in maternity care. Held regular meetings for mutual support/study – soon others joined. In 1978, the regular newsletter began – Midwifery Matters.

7. Radical? Lots of ‘radical’ associations in the 1970’s! Lots of ‘radical’ associations in the 1970’s! Definition of radical: pertaining to roots / origins / basic principles (i.e. of midwifery). Definition of radical: pertaining to roots / origins / basic principles (i.e. of midwifery). Play on words – initials ARM stood for Artificial Rupture of Membranes. Play on words – initials ARM stood for Artificial Rupture of Membranes. Controversial? Controversial?

8. Funding Membership fees Membership fees Gift aid Gift aid Sale of goods Sale of goods Conference / meetings (break even policy) Conference / meetings (break even policy)

9. Achievements Publications: Publications: 1986 The Vision/2013 The New Vision - Proposals for the future of the Maternity Services 1986 The Vision/2013 The New Vision - Proposals for the future of the Maternity Services “What is a Midwife?” leaflet “What is a Midwife?” leaflet 1999 “Vision for Midwifery Education” - suggestions to improve training. 1999 “Vision for Midwifery Education” - suggestions to improve training. Responses to various government papers, including most recent NHS white paper Responses to various government papers, including most recent NHS white paper

10. Achievements UKMid list - a Yahoo group with 3500 members worldwide: ukmidwifery@yahoogroups.com UKMid list - a Yahoo group with 3500 members worldwide: ukmidwifery@yahoogroups.comukmidwifery@yahoogroups.com Membership of House of Commons Health Committee - 1992 Winterton Report Membership of House of Commons Health Committee - 1992 Winterton Report Membership of Expert Maternity Group - 1993 Changing Childbirth Membership of Expert Maternity Group - 1993 Changing Childbirth Seats on ICM and EMA councils Seats on ICM and EMA councils

11. Achievements Our working group “Midwives Information and Resource Service” became an independent charity in 1984 - MIDIRS. Our working group “Midwives Information and Resource Service” became an independent charity in 1984 - MIDIRS. Yurt Project – 2005 Yurt Project – 2005 Annual study day in Wigan Annual study day in Wigan National Conference every year National Conference every year

12. ARM today Steering group - elected members. Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Magazine Editor. Steering group - elected members. Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Magazine Editor. ARM helpline / media contact ARM helpline / media contact Quarterly meetings around the country - steering group / national meeting / study session / workshops Quarterly meetings around the country - steering group / national meeting / study session / workshops Quarterly magazine - Midwifery Matters. Quarterly magazine - Midwifery Matters.

13. ARM today Local contacts Local contacts Local groups - regular meetings Local groups - regular meetings Yahoo group Yahoo group Website: www.midwifery.org.uk Website: www.midwifery.org.uk

14. National Conference Birth Choices Nottingham on March 14 th 2014. See web site www.midwifery.org.uk www.midwifery.org.uk

15. Yurt project A safe space for pregnant women, mothers, families to relax / chat / meet with midwives at music festivals. A safe space for pregnant women, mothers, families to relax / chat / meet with midwives at music festivals. Includes Buddha Fields, Glastonbury, Solfest and others. Includes Buddha Fields, Glastonbury, Solfest and others. Separate Yahoo group for members interested in ‘womaning’ the yurt - includes festival pass... Separate Yahoo group for members interested in ‘womaning’ the yurt - includes festival pass...

16. The Yurt

18. Annual Retreat A week of rest and relaxation with like- minded ARM members. A week of rest and relaxation with like- minded ARM members. Join in as much / as little as you like Join in as much / as little as you like Various locations - self catering / cleaning Various locations - self catering / cleaning Shared veggie meals, daily ‘topic’ for discussion... Shared veggie meals, daily ‘topic’ for discussion... Coincides with autumn national meeting Coincides with autumn national meeting Workshops sometimes included Workshops sometimes included

20. Get involved! Local meetings: Local meetings: Informal or formal Informal or formal Caring and sharing Caring and sharing Research / subject discussions Research / subject discussions Event planning (study days / film nights) Event planning (study days / film nights) Networking Networking Support and advice Support and advice Experience of organising / chairing meetings Experience of organising / chairing meetings

21. Get involved! Complete membership form and join! Complete membership form and join! Write about your experiences for MM! Write about your experiences for MM! Come to national meetings / study day Come to national meetings / study day Book your place at the conference Book your place at the conference Join ukmidwifery@yahoogroups.com Join ukmidwifery@yahoogroups.com Visit our website Visit our websitewww.midwifery.org.uk