Sandra Igwe

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Chief Exec and Founder

The Motherhood Group

Biography: Sandra Igwe is a trailblazing Black maternal health advocate, TEDx speaker, and social entrepreneur who is revolutionising support for Black mothers through innovative digital solutions and community-driven initiatives. As the Founder and Chief Executive of The Motherhood Group, Sandra leverages technology and grassroots engagement to create a comprehensive ecosystem of support for the Black maternal experience. Through The Motherhood Group, Sandra delivers impactful community-based events like Black Mum Fest, maternal training workshops, and the Black Maternal Health Conference UK. She spearheads national campaigns such as Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK and oversees culturally sensitive programmes commissioned by NHS England. The organisation also maintains a community hub in Lambeth Town Hall, providing a safe space for Black mothers and families. Sandra’s influence extends to policy-making as the Co-Chair of the National Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care and a Trustee of Birthrights Charity. Her book, “My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System”, amplifies the voices of Black mothers and challenges healthcare professionals to listen, believe, and understand their experiences. As a sought-after speaker, Sandra has shared her expertise with notable corporations including Facebook (now Meta), Dove, MBRRACE-UK, Nike Women, and UBS. She has also delivered powerful speeches on maternal health for Black mothers at the House of Lords and on national television networks such as Sky, ITV, and CNN. Sandra’s work has been commissioned by organisations such as NHS England and the Southwark Maternity Commission, engaging thousands of Black women to improve maternal outcomes. Her innovative approaches and tireless advocacy have earned her recognition from both Vogue UK and Forbes as one of their ‘Influential Women of the Year’.

South West London ICL Digital Pioneer Fellowship project summary: Our project aims to revolutionize Black maternal health in the UK by providing a comprehensive, culturally tailored digital platform. Launching in October 2024, it offers personalized content, peer support matching, and expert advice from Black maternal health professionals throughout the perinatal journey. The app addresses severe health disparities faced by Black women, who are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women. By providing health tracking tools, mental health resources, and educational content on maternal rights, Blackmums empowers Black mothers with knowledge and support to navigate their maternal health experiences confidently, ultimately aiming to reduce complications and improve outcomes.

Estimated number of patients / staff impacted by the project: It has the potential to impact approximately 100,000 Black women of childbearing age in the UK, with a specific focus on the 30,000 Black women giving birth in London annually. Additionally, the project aims to reach and train over 5,000 healthcare professionals in cultural competency by 2026, further extending its impact on maternal care delivery.

Goal(s) for time on the South West London ICL Digital Pioneer Fellowship:Our goals are to refine our digital strategy, enhance our app’s user experience, and develop effective implementation plans for integrating Blackmums into existing NHS care pathways. We aim to build partnerships with NHS trusts, secure additional funding, and establish a robust framework for measuring and scaling our impact on Black maternal health outcomes.