Every day in the UK, 15 babies die during pregnancy, at birth or shortly afterwards* This may be a surprising fact to most and maybe it is because this is a tragedy that many people who have gone through don’t talk about.
Preferring to hold onto their grief inside or because they cannot find the words and support they need. But support is here.
June is Sands Awareness Month. Sands is the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.
Bereaved parents and their families are being invited to a special family day of remembrance and hope on Saturday 8 June from 11am-4pm.
This is a special event by the charity to help comfort and provide hope to bereaved parents and their families, as well as the opportunity to acknowledge and remember your babies.
A secular service of poems, readings, music and children’s activities will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR in the Oak Suite which is in Aspects, the new event building within the Arboretum. It will be followed by a short dedication in the Sands garden.
The garden was originally inspired by Alison and Jon Stokes whose baby son Jack was stillborn.
Support is here though all throughout the year, not just in June.
If you are recently bereaved and based in South London and would like help and support, South East London Sands is our local group and can be contacted below. The group is led by families affected by the loss of a baby, for families who have been affected by the loss of their baby.
Website: http://www.selsands.org.uk
Alternatively, you can contact The Sands National Helpline, which provides a safe, confidential place for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby. Whether your baby died long ago or recently, they are here for you.
The telephone helpline is free to call from landlines and mobiles on 0808 164 3332.
*Data from the Office for National Statistics, 2018