Sam and Fran are two franchisees who decided to take over the parent company and take it forward into its 20th anniversary year, when the previous owners decided to sell.

Sam Padain has run the franchise in London and Essex since 2002.  As well as running the franchise and looking after three children she is also a trained breastfeeding supporter with The Breastfeeding Network.

Sam first experienced the joys of waterbirth with her first child, Ella.  So when the opportunity arose she decided to take over the franchise in London.  In October 2006 she had the pleasure of yet another waterbirth with her third baby, Owen (see her birth story). 

Fran Padgham, has run the franchise in Surrey and Berkshire since 2005.  She has two children and hired Birthworks birthing pools for both her births.

Both Sam and Fran decided to take over Birthworks because of the passion they share with the previous owners Debbie Summers and Chris Sadler.  They believe in offering a personal service (instead of just a business) and respect the quality of the products they are able to offer.

Running Birthworks allows Sam and Fran to stay at home with their children, while working on something close to their hearts - encouraging women everywhere to consider water births as a natural and beneficial way to give birth - something they both feel extremely strongly about and would like others to experience.

Jo Rundle (Franchisee Devon and Cornwall) has recently undertaken training to be a peer supporter for breastfeeding with the National Childbirth Trust.  She has been instrumental in setting up a local group who meet weekly, with telephone support in between.

The group are based in Callington and meet every Friday from 10.30 to 12.30 at Callington Library.  The network of phone supporters operate during the week and offer home visits if possible (location dependent on available supporters).

The National Childbirth Trust wants all mums to feel proud of breastfeeding, whether they breastfeed for one day or one year.  Research shows that every feed makes a positive difference to both mother and baby.