I love what I do, if you catch me in conversation about my work as a doula and how it makes me feel, you'll be hard pressed to get away! (Don't tell me you weren't warned) In and of itself supporting women and birthing people during the most transformational experiences of their life is, without a moment of doubt, awesome. But I can only do that one person or one family at a time, even if I was as booked up as I could be that would only be around a dozen families a year. I know that the impact of my support ripples outwards and onwards through time, but there's more I can do so I donate some of my income to causes that make my heart sing. As some of that income comes from you, my clients, I thought you might like to know where I've decided to send it.
Peanut Balls
In 2025 0.5% of my gross income went into a pot to fund some peanut balls for my nearest maternity unit - Leighton Hospital. In my other job as Deputy Lead for Central Cheshire's Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) we had noticed that while birthing balls were available peanut balls were in short supply. (peanut balls help to optimise pelvic position when reclined or resting to help baby descend and rotate) In March this year I was able to hand them over to the Midwife Led Unit, where they will be looked after and used there and on the Labour ward for women and birthing people in labour.
I'm still putting 0.5% in a pot - I don't yet know what I'll spend it on!
Joy Casewell (Doula & CCMNVP lead), Georgia Bell (Leighton MLU Manager) and Me - handing over the peanut balls in March
Cheshire East Green Party
In my "spare" time, I'm an active member of Cheshire East Green Party. As well as my membership fee (which is very reasonable if you've ever thought about joining) I donate an additional £5 a month from my business to help the local party fund and support elections. The more Greens we have at the table, the better in my opinion.
Back to Birth
An additional 1% of my gross income goes into a Home Birth Support pot. With some other local doulas I run a local Home Birth Support group, and in 2025 with even more doulas and peeps who work in and around the birth world in the whole of Cheshire we created the Cheshire Home Birth Alliance. This 1% of my income has supported the groups we run and the initial set up costs of the Alliance - like the website - give us a look and a follow...
image of Parc Mawr from shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk
And finally...
All of these things will continue but I felt the need to add something that both honoured the families and their brand new babies I support and the environment that I am passionate about protecting and enhancing. If we don't do that what sort of world will those babies inherit? So starting in 2026, I'm planning to dedicate a tree via the Woodland Trust for each family I support. I've chosen Parc Mawr in North Wales, as the woodland to dedicate the trees, I hope my families will be able to visit and enjoy the woodlands there for many years to come.
Why did I start by calling this blog "The Art of Happy"? - it's because giving makes you happy! There's a great article on all the benefits here but in summary, when you are charitable, whether that's by giving money, time, or just a smile to a stranger, our brains' reward systems are triggered releasing dopamine and serotonin. These wonder hormones help us to feel calm, content and happy. Giving in this way is one of my acts of self-care. A happy calm and contented Mel, is a productive Mel.
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