The Motherhood Group partners with Slater and Gordon

The Motherhood Group is committed to ensuring every Black mother receives the care and support they deserve, and delivers support in a host of ways to enable that to happen.

Statistics reveal a significant disparity in maternal health outcomes for Black mothers, with reports of poor care and not being listened to commonplace, and Black women being nearly three times more likely to die during or shortly after pregnancy than white women.

As well as supporting new and expectant parents directly – offering everything from peer and group support, through to Doula and giving birth assistance – The Motherhood Group also engages with healthcare organisations and professionals to campaign for change on behalf of Black mothers.

Its work spans nationally-recognised programmes including the Black Maternal Health Conference UK, Black Maternal Mental Health Week and the Black Maternal Mental Health Report. Its digital platform, which connects thousands of women to culturally responsive information, support, and community, is also a vital resource for women throughout the UK.

The launch of Mumbrite (formerly known as the BlackMums App) is also planned, which will enable Black mothers to continue accessing culturally competent support through new features including peer-to-peer connection, visibility of local programmes and services, and access to culturally competent facilitators.

The charity - founded by Sandra Igwe MBE in 2016, following the traumatic birth of her daughter – has now expanded the legal support it offers to mothers and families it works with through the addition of Slater and Gordon to its legal panel. The law firm is regarded as a national leader in maternity cases, and has thrown its weight behind the campaign for better standards in the NHS.

“The Motherhood Group working with Slater and Gordon is a partnership grounded in shared values - accountability, justice, support, and the belief that families deserve to be listened to when harm occurs,” says Sandra, CEO of The Motherhood Group.

“For over a decade, The Motherhood Group has worked at the intersection of community, evidence and system change, supporting Black mothers through peer-led support, national research, professional training, and large-scale public engagement.

“Slater and Gordon’s support strengthens our ability to bridge community insight with legal accountability, ensuring that women and families are not left isolated when something goes wrong. This partnership is not only about responding to harm, but about contributing to prevention - supporting learning, transparency, and systemic change that can reduce avoidable trauma and loss.

“Together, we are helping to ensure that Black mothers’ experiences are not just heard, but taken seriously — shaping better maternity care, stronger accountability, and more just outcomes for families now and in the future.”

Alisha Puri, specialist clinical negligence lawyer at Slater and Gordon, says: “Sandra is such a strong and fantastic advocate for Black women and the fact they need and deserve the very best standards of maternity care. The Motherhood Group has grown into a hugely respected organisation which supports women and campaigns on their behalf, bringing about positive change.

“We are delighted to be able to support women through our new partnership, and empower them to understand their legal rights and position. As a law firm which is absolutely committed to promoting improvement in maternity standards, we will do everything we can to support the work of The Motherhood Group.”