Meet BLACK DOULAS UK
Black Doulas UK is a dedicated online directory created to increase visibility and access to Black doulas across the UK. It provides a central space where families can discover doulas by location, explore individual profiles, and connect directly with practitioners offering culturally competent birth support.
the strategy behind the design
THE PROBLEM
Before the project, Black Doulas UK did not exist as an online platform, meaning there was no centralised directory for Black doulas in the UK. This created a significant gap in visibility and access within the birth support space, particularly for Black families seeking care that reflects their cultural needs, lived experiences, and understanding of how bias and disparities can impact maternity care. Without a dedicated platform, families often had to rely on scattered social media pages, word-of-mouth recommendations, or chance discovery, which made it difficult to find consistent, trusted support. At the same time, Black doulas had limited opportunities to increase their visibility within a structured, searchable space, restricting their ability to reach the families who specifically needed and valued their services.
THE METHOD
The platform was designed with clarity, accessibility, and functionality at its core, with key strategies including:
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Structuring a clear directory system that allows users to browse doulas by location with ease
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Creating individual doula profile pages that showcase experience, services, and direct contact information
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Building a simple registration process so doulas can easily join and be featured on the platform
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Designing an intuitive user journey that supports both families searching for support and doulas joining the network
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Organising content in a clean and accessible way to ensure the platform feels easy to navigate and inclusive
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Establishing a scalable foundation that allows the directory to grow as more doulas are added
THE SOLUTION
A fully functional and user-friendly online directory that connects Black doulas with families across the UK. The platform allows users to search by location, view detailed profiles, and contact doulas directly, while also providing a straightforward registration system for new doulas to join the network.
THE OUTCOME
Black Doulas UK now exists as a centralised and accessible digital directory, making it significantly easier for families to find culturally competent birth support. Doulas are able to increase their visibility, showcase their services, and connect directly with clients, while the registration system ensures continuous growth of the platform. The result is a clear, structured, and scalable online space that strengthens connection, access, and representation within the birth support community.
“Thank you so much Tracey for all your hard work. The website looks amazing and we really appreciate your support throughout."
BLACK DOULAS UK
