I’m Joey (they/them) I’m a full-spectrum doula and creative based in Hackney, London, where I was born and raised.
I am proud to be a queer, trans, latino and neurodivergent doula. Coming from a maternal line of Brazilian birth workers, an overwhelming desire to attend births felt natural to me growing up.
After a not so successful stab at midwifery via nursing (which… is a funny story now at least) I turned my hand to childcare and later became a tattoo artist.
This felt great for several years - I had the privilege of serving mostly queer and trans folk, a dream! Honestly, this space was where I developed many of the skills I use today.
After setting up a cosy tattoo studio, chronic illness threw a spanner, which I took as an opportunity to listen to that original call to birth again. After some well needed recuperation and readjustment I assessed my experiences working within the NHS, as well as creating a space I was proud to provide affirming work in, and pivoted towards the training which brought me here.
Full-spectrum work felt perfect as it holds so much nuance, which is very important to me.
My approach is informed by my values: bodily autonomy, reproductive justice, anti-racism, and human rights, as well as your personal needs as a client. Everyone is different, we all have different thresholds and needs which must be reflected in our support systems.
What I enjoy the most about my job is being part of people’s villages. Hearing from them that information and support they received helped them make empowered, informed choices is an honour. Actually, all of it is an honour.
When I am not working or being a birth nerd (freaking out the house by accidentally playing birth videos on a communal speaker has happened more than once), you can usually find me hanging out with my partner, cats or both while watching tv, crocheting, drawing or just generally yapping.
Whether you need a calm and quiet presence, or a guard dog ready to defend your rights, I love this work and can’t wait to meet you!