Baby Loss Awareness Week
The annual awareness week, now in its 19th year, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families and friends, to commemorate babies’ lives and to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss to drive for the improvements that are needed for parents and families now and in the future.
In Nottingham we have a large support network for bereaved families, from our hospital chaplain to local charities which include Forever Stars, Zephyrs and Nottinghamshire Sands.
Forever Stars have been paramount in spreading the awareness and each year reach out to more and more business and arrange for buildings to light up pink and blue to show their support during baby loss awareness week.
Forever stars have also opened a beautiful Serenity Garden located in Highfields Park in Nottingham, features two beautiful sculptures commissioned by the charity and designed by Nottingham artist Rachel Carter. The two sculptures; the Fallen Acorn and the Forever Star will be a focal point for families as they will be able to add their baby's names and date of birth to the sculptures by requesting a petal from the charity. These petals will be added during a special service at the garden where families will be invited along to select where they would like their petal adding. If you would like to find out more about adding a petal to one of the sculptures, please email jo.sharp@foreverstars.org
Zephyr's centre at Nottingham City Hospital offers anyone whose baby or child has died the chance to get support. Zephyr's has just started back and is currently offering weekly online support for grieving parents to connect with other bereaved families, and support for those who are pregnant after loss. Please check their social media pages, by searching for Zephyr's Nottingham, or email Carly who can let you know more contact@zephyrsnottingham.org.uk
Offers bereavement support & fundraising for families in Nottinghamshire who experience the loss of a child through stillbirth or neonatal death.
Nottinghamshire SANDS volunteers have been busy knitting to raise awareness of baby loss so please look out for some amazing knitted tops of post boxes throughout Nottinghamshire. The SANDS volunteers have also knitted over 500 pairs of white, blue and pink hearts, one to hang up, one to put in memory boxes. These can be requested via their Facebook page or email at nottingham.sands@ hotmail.co.uk.
The projects have been supported by The Artful Buttoner in Kirkby in Ashfield.
Christa Burgess, Lead Bereavement Midwife at NUH said: “We are joining in turning our Maternity Units pink and blue to help raise awareness on pregnancy loss and hope it will start conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies and raise awareness”
“The week will end on the 15 October with a global ‘Wave of Light’, please light a candle at 7pm to 8pm and if you feel able to, to share this on social medial. You will be joining a global ‘Wave of Light’ in memory of all the babies who lit up our lives for such a short time. I am so proud to work in Nottingham and see the love and support that we have”
At Nottingham University Hospitals both chapels at the City hospital and Queens Medical centre will be open for staff and families to visit and place a message on the tree while also lighting a candle and taking one away to light on the 15th October at 7pm.
The Bereavement Midwives and Neonatal Bereavement Nurse at Nottingham University Hospitals also understand that this can be a really difficult time for families and will be on hand, if any family needs support. Please feel free to use the below contact details.
Bereavement Midwives Christa and Abi
Email: BEREAVEMENTMIDWIVES@nuh.nhs.uk
07812 268105
Bereavement Nurse Jo from the Neonatal Unit
Email : Neonatalbereavement@nuh.nhs.uk
07812 268770