Daisy Marrable
Mentored Doula
Email:
Training:
Trained by Developing Doulas
Biomechanics For Birth Course Completed
Areas covered:
Based in East Sussex
Happy to support further afield!
A Bit About Me
Hi! I'm Daisy! Here are some facts about me: I am a bookworm, a fantasy geek, a birth nerd and I adore dogs! In my free time, I love having reiki sessions, going for walks and playing video games with my Husband. I love learning- I'll read anything I can get my hands on and attend every bit of training I can. I'm caring, compassionate and have always been called an old soul.
My passion for birth ignited when I was very young and it has blossomed into a fulfilling career as a doula. With a background in the domestic abuse sector - working as a Project Manager and Domestic Abuse Refuge Advocate, I've cultivated my skills by advocating for women and survivors, and now I channel that into providing compassionate support for women and families during childbirth.
From a very young age I spent many hours reading and watching shows about birth, when I found out what a Doula was I thought 'one day that will be me', I thought I wanted to be a midwife and then move into becoming a doula. Then one day it clicked that I could be what I dreamt of being since I was 8 right now!
I've put together a little road map below that shows my journey to becoming a doula.
My journey
Childhood
2012-2017
2017-2019
2020
2018-2022
2021
2022
2022-2024
Now
My passion for birth began with a cat
I was always passionate about animals. My cat got pregnant and I read every book I could get my hands on to find out how to help her through her pregnancy. I prepared a birthing box and blankets. I watched for signs of labour and on the day I snuck into my Mum's bedroom to watch as my little cat Billie had her litter and cared for her kittens.
Witnessing wonderful advocates from a young age
I worked closely with a Charity called I Choose Freedom, volunteering free time to help organise donations. My Mum was the CEO and watching her tell her story was so inspiring. I wanted to help end Domestic Abuse by using my knowledge to train professionals to spot the signs.
Turning my struggles into something powerful
East Surrey hospital paediatric safeguarding level three training
I delivered level three paediatric safeguarding training at East Surrey Hospital to specialist practitioners, giving them a chance to understand domestic abuse from a child’s point of view. I help the specialists understand the warning signs and improve their practice when it comes to domestic abuse.
Sussex Family Justice board (FJB) annual conference
Natasha Watson, the principal lawyer from Brighton and Hove Council, found my “thoughtfulness and resilience inspiring” and stated that I spoke with a “confidence and clarity that many people of far more experience (and years) would envy”.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) power and control conference
I spoke to over three hundred professionals from both statutory and voluntary services including police officers and practitioners from both adult and children services.
Project manager – Creation of new refuge
When the Covid pandemic struck I was aware that victims of domestic abuse would be adversely affected by being isolated with the perpetrator. I offered to assist in the creation of a new refuge that would support nineteen families. I worked to renovate, decorate and equip with furnishings a derelict 40-bedroom ex-nursing home. I was given a budget of £300,000 with a turnaround time of three weeks.
We were featured on channel 4! You can watch a clip here
After the opening of the refuge, I continued working with I Choose Freedom, training new staff and interacting with clients living in the refuge. During this time I set up social media and researched tools to help new staff continue with content creation.
University
I studied Social Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University. I focused on modules that I knew would help me in a future career in the birth world including Psychology of Child Development and Social and Cultural Landscapes. During this time (and since the age of 16!) I had a few different part time jobs but I wanted to run my own business.
My first business - Virtually Blooming
I decided to start my own business as a self-employed Virtual Assistant. I noticed that small charities needed support to manage their social media and presence to maintain their charitable income.
My Time as a Domestic Abuse Refuge Advocate
The opportunity to work as a DARA presented itself and I took the chance. I worked with survivors of Domestic Abuse, empowering them during the most difficult time of their lives. This role was beautiful but challenging. I missed the flexibility of my own business and found that some parts of the role were just too painful for me at the time.
Wonderful years with Joan
During this time I cared for my beautiful Grandmother-in-law, Joan. She was an incredible woman who never failed to make me smile. I lived with her and we spent the days going through her belongings, finding out what was important to her and bringing joy to us both. It wasn't until after she passed that someone said to me "oh so you were her Death Doula?" This stuck with me, I thought all I had really done was met her needs, chatted with her and made sure what she wanted was put first. Then I realised that is what a doula does! That's what I'm good at!
What lies ahead?
I realised I didn't need to wait to be a doula, I was already doing it, I have always been a doula. I joined Developing Doulas, did my course with Aimee, a fantastic soul who I owe so much to. I have done a Biomechanics for birth course with the lovely Molly O'Brien. I am now fortunate enough to be mentored by Sarah!
