Work with us

teaching LGBTQ+ competency since 2020

Competency Workshops

LGBTQ+ Competency for Student Midwives

90-minute workshop – Currently available for MidSocs to book!

Get ready to amplify your practice and provide inclusive care to every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Our LGBTQ+ Competency Workshop for Student Midwives is a transformative journey that I’m excited to guide you through. This dynamic workshop covers everything from mastering inclusive language to understanding the history and impact of LGBTQ+ healthcare disparities. Let’s build cultural competency and explore real-life case studies together.

LGBTQ+ Competency in Birth & Beyond

Six-hour workshop, split over 2 x 3 hour zoom sessions

Our workshop is the only one of its kind in the UK; it is included on the curriculum of education for several Midwifery and Maternity access courses, Doula schools and Hypnobirthing practitioners training courses.

It has been designed as a safe and open environment where you will learn and discuss a vast array of topics from the basics of inclusive language to much more complex topics such as the systematic and personal oppressions LGBTQ+ parents experience in their journey.

Our aim is that at the end of this workshop you will understand your place and purpose as an ally to LGBTQ+ parents and leave confident and motivated to continue on the path of creating more visibility and accessibility for the community.

The workshop is lead with shared resources and discussion. Attendees are invited to participate in discussion and be open with their cohort regarding their difficulties or gaps in knowledge.

All attendees will be invited to join a private Facebook group comprising 500+ like-minded professionals. This is a dynamic hub where attendees can continue to engage with their peers, share their successes and challenges, and explore further learning opportunities. We believe that this closed group will facilitate deeper connections and foster a supportive environment, enabling attendees to build valuable networks and enhance their understanding of LGBTQ+ competency.

Want to know More?

To read further information and feedback

about this course.

Ready to dive in?

To book onto our next open competency course, or get in touch to book a course for your organisation.

LGBTQ+ Competency in Lactation

4-hour workshop, available as 1 x 4 hour zoom session (day-time) or split over 2 x 2 hour zoom sessions (evening)

This workshop covers the basics of inclusive language to covers more complex topics such as the systematic and personal oppressions LGBTQ+ parents experience in their journey, but in less detail that our Birth & Beyond workshop.

You will listen, dissect and learn from real life case studies of LGBTQ+ families in the UK. Learn the basics of LGBTQ+ Lactation including: Inducing Lactation, Feeding after top surgery, Hormones and Co-Nursing.

The workshop is lead with shared resources and discussion. Attendees are invited to participate in discussion and be open with their cohort regarding their difficulties or gaps in knowledge.

Want to know More?

To read further information and feedback

about this course.

Ready to dive in?

To book onto our next open competency course, or get in touch to book a course for your organisation.

Supporting Fat Birth

4-hour workshop, split over 2 x 2 hour zoom sessions (day and evening available)

AJ uses their lived experience of their two fat pregnancies and births and their professional experience as a birth and postnatal Doula, Breastfeeding Counsellor and Educator to guide attendees through the history, impact and legacy of fatphobia in maternity and perinatal services.

You will learn and explore the history of fatphobia, medical weight stigma, conception & myth barriers, pregnancy & birth choices, and more!

The workshop is lead with shared resources and discussion. Attendees are invited to participate in discussion and be open with their cohort regarding their difficulties or gaps in knowledge.

Want to know More?

To read further information.

Ready to dive in?

To book onto one of these limited sessions!

Further Services

Sensitivity Checks

Want to make sure your client facing work is using inclusive language? Whether it is a presentation, website copy or a book manuscript, AJ can provide a sensitivity read with corrections and actions to ensure your work continues to be inclusive.

Speaking

AJ can be booked for presentations, speaking events, panels and keynote speeches. Please get in touch for availability and costs.

Writing

AJ is a published author: Supporting Queer Birth, as well as writing articles for AIMS. AJ has also written social media posts for organisations including The Positive Birth Company. If you have an idea for a blog, article or written piece get in touch for more information.

Who I am and Why I do this

I am AJ, I am a trans(gender – means my gender differs from my sex assignment at birth). My pronouns are They/Them. I am an Author, Educator, Speaker, Activist and Doula.

I am a fat, queer, dyslexic, autistic, empath with a huge heart. I’ve been described as lion hearted, an emotional and physical protector and a pain in the ass.

I love to cook, play guitar, kitchen disco’s, can stare at the sea for hours.

I’m married to a beautiful, kind, warm and compassionate (cis) man. We are parents to two small humans (10 & 7) they call me Bubba. One born in hospital in an overtly medicalised birth, the second at home into the water with no eyes or hands on us. I have a dog too, Princess Leia; the springer spaniel.

I am also healing from trauma, physical and emotional violence and unlearning my many biases.

My first book Supporting Queer Birth was released in April 2022 and I hope to share my upcoming release details with you soon. I run workshops, give talks and have chaired panels on discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ competency.

I started The Queer Birth Club to help fill the void in LGBTQ+ competency in the UK, specifically in the perinatal period, covering both pregnancy, birth and lactation.

Trans and non binary people are already accessing services that are not prepared to care for them. I’m lucky enough to sit in a fairly unique position that means I see first hand how many HCP’s want to learn how to support us as we grow our families. A lot of these HCP’s were educated during Section 28 and have been informed on trans issues solely by the general media, which as we know is far from open, fair and accurately representative.

The good news is there are many ways to improve your knowledge and competency. Books, podcasts, movies, tv shows, blogs, social media, workshops and more.