'Australian Doula College Groundwork Program'

Saturday 2pm

The Groundwork Program is a family focused support service working with a variety of families with a variety of different, often complex needs. Our unique in home education and support program is tailored to provide a solid foundation for our clients in whatever situation they find themselves in. The purpose of the program is to ensure mothers, families and individuals receive the personalised services they require to achieve what is most important to them, given their circumstances. 
Our Doulas undergo an extensive training and are knowledgeable in comfort measures, specialising in non-medical skills. We do not perform clinical tasks, do not diagnose medical conditions, offer second opinions, or give medical advice. We offer non judgemental emotional support while assisting people to navigate their way through a major life transition. We are filling the gaps. 
We predominately offer, however are not limited too, offering support during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period and end of life.
We are flexible, qualified, experienced, responsive and adaptable in all situations. 
Our services include but again are not limited to: 

• Childbirth education and support at the birth
• Post birth in home care
• Breast and bottle feeding information and support
• Sleep and settling techniques
• On going information on baby growth and development
• Guidance on self-care as a new mum
• Positive role modelling
• Transportation to and from appointments
• Referrals and resources
• Vigil support and understanding
• Coordinating support teams and other services
• Increase independent living skills i.e. budgeting, meal planning, meal preparation, healthy eating/nutrition guidance
• Written reports after each shift to care team involved 

We work on a fee for service basis and we have been hired for short, one off jobs and worked with families for months. We are a unique service provider that understands the importance of building strong, healthy and positive relationships with our clients.

About Ashleigh Dodd

Ashleigh began her career volunteering in the USA, working with people who required support from all walks of life including disabilities, mental health, youth, AOD dependencies, criminal justice, aged care, child protection and women in crisis. Ashleigh has been working in the Community Services Sector since 2005, supporting people through life’s transitions. 
Beginning her career in a number of support worker roles through to management of state wide organisations always striving to empower and support individuals on their journey. Throughout this work Ashleigh has complemented her experience by obtaining degrees in Community Services, Management, Welfare, Business and is a qualified Trainer and Assessor. Ashleigh’s passion really begun to focus on women and babies whilst working in Child Protection and as she embraced her own journey to start her family, facing hurdles she never knew existed! 
Ashleigh’s true devotion continues to be empowering families to have the best birthing experience possible. Ashleigh has furthered her Doula qualification by undertaking the Cert IV in Doula Support Services , Child Birth Educators training and End of Life. Ashleigh firmly  believes families have the right to be informed, educated, validated and supported to pave the way of their own journey. Ashleigh is dedicated to supporting people to strive for what is most important to them in all aspects of life from first breath to last breath. 
Ashleigh is based in Victoria keeping busy raising her young babes, working and juggling doula life, loving and appreciating every second.

In support of charity partner:

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Join us as a volunteer doula!

“Supporting women who would normally go without support has been an incredibly humbling experience…This work really is the epitome of the butterfly effect. One birth at a time we can make the world a better place.” – Bethany Meakin, Doula of the Year 2018 and Birth for Humankind volunteer doula

Donate to help deliver free doula support and education

“The care, respect, comfort and information that my Birth for Humankind doula provided cannot be replaced by midwives and doctors… I don’t know how to thank you enough.” - Client

Birth for Humankind is a Victorian-based organisation striving for equitable maternal health and wellbeing for all. We work to achieve this by providing and advocating for respectful pregnancy, birth and early parenting support for women experiencing social and financial disadvantage.
Evidence demonstrates that women experiencing social and financial disadvantage benefit the most from doula support but have the least access to it.
Central to our organisation are the amazing volunteer doulas who help deliver our free specialist pregnancy, birth and postnatal support programs. Programs which have a life-changing impact. Mothers and babies thrive when they feel safe and support and all our clients report an increase in confidence and preparedness for birth and parenting.