While the birth of a child is a moment of profound joy, for many women it unfolds under the shadow of domestic abuse. Maternity staff at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, who share the most intimate moments of their patients' lives, are acutely aware of this grim reality. This Christmas, they decided to take practical action to bring comfort to those affected.
A Giving Tree for Unseen Women
The initiative was organised by Hannah Gardner, a Swansea Bay Women's Experience Midwife, who sought to build a stronger rapport with Women's Aid. She proposed a 'Giving Tree' on the hospital's postnatal ward, with tags representing individual women currently staying in a local refuge. The response from her colleagues was immediate and overwhelming.
Every single tag, representing around 20 women, was claimed by staff within just 45 minutes. Those who missed out on tags were so eager to help that they asked if they could buy gifts regardless. The maternity team then coordinated further donations of shared items, like fleeces and festive treats, for the refuge.
Focusing on Mothers When Charities Focus on Children
Hannah explained the deliberate choice to concentrate on the mothers themselves. "Our contact shared how the children are often covered by numerous charities, however, the women don't always get anything to comfort them at this time of year," she said. The requests from the women were simple and heartfelt: slippers, fluffy socks, and other small comforts.
Nicola Davies, Support Assistant for Swansea’s Women’s Aid in Refuge Services, expressed profound gratitude. "This is amazing for us. Some of the mums literally have no family and nothing... It’s so lovely that we can actually give the women, who suffer so much, something nice to open themselves on Christmas Day," she said.
A Reflection of Midwifery's Core Compassion
For the staff, this act of generosity was a direct extension of their professional ethos. Midwife Beth Frecknall said, "We spend time with these women at a really special time in their lives... You can’t help but feel compassionate for them - so when the opportunity came to do something nice, we all jumped at the chance."
Hannah Gardner reflected on the deeper meaning behind the swift response. "The word midwife means ‘being with women’ and I think the response of the staff showed how much we do want to do that," she stated. "Their response reflects their deep compassion and commitment to showing women in refuge, who might feel unseen, that they are seen, valued and cared for."
The initiative, supported by staff including Amanda Bishop, Nastaran Fathi, and Caitilin Mortimore, stands as a powerful testament to community spirit and professional compassion within the NHS, ensuring that women facing immense hardship are not forgotten during the festive season.
