A big thank you to the Norfolk & Norwich Baby Bereavement Group, who compiled the following support information for parents:
LOCAL SUPPORT
Norfolk and Norwich Baby Bereavement Group
“The Norfolk and Norwich Baby Bereavement Group is a local community of parents and families who have been affected by the loss of a baby. We have strong links with the NNUH baby bereavement team although you do not have to have been cared for at NNUH to join us. We hold social meet ups for parents on the outskirts of Norwich.”
nnuhbabybereavementgroup@gmail.com
@n.n.b.b.g
Norfolk Sands
“Norfolk Sands is the local branch of a national charity for stillbirth and neonatal death. Nationally, as well as fundraising and supporting bereaved families, Sands lobbies government for change, works with the NHS to create care pathways and carries out extensive research into the causes and impacts of baby loss.
On a local level, we are a team of volunteers (all bereaved parents and families). We hold regular support meetings and events for those affected by baby loss. We also work closely with the local hospitals, providing resources for midwives and memory boxes for parents.
Please see our Facebook page for information about our support meetings and events or get in touch with us at norfolk@sands.org.uk for any other information.”
norfolk@sands.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkSands
https://norwich.mumbler.co.uk/norfolk-sands/
Time Norfolk
“TimeNorfolk supports men & women following pregnancy loss of any kind including miscarriage, termination, stillbirth & infertility.
Here at TimeNorfolk we have a team of highly trained & dedicated staff and volunteers to offer time, compassion and understanding as our clients go through the grieving process.
You can find out more about TimeNorfolk by visiting their Website.”
info@timenorfolk.org.uk
01603 927487
https://www.facebook.com/timenorfolk
https://norwich.mumbler.co.uk/timenorfolk/
Norfolk Miscarriage Support
“A branch of the Miscarriage Association, we are a group of volunteers in Norfolk who offer support to anyone affected by pregnancy loss.
Norfolk Miscarriage Support usually run monthly support groups but due to the current sitaution they are not running until further notice. Please keep an eye on their Facebook page for the most up to date information.
If you would like to talk to someone or have a chat online, please follow the following link for online support – https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/…/online…/”
https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkMiscarriageSupport
Nelsons Journey
Nelson’s Journey support bereaved children and young people in Norfolk. They help to: provide education about causes of death and the events surrounding the funeral and provide children with opportunities to remember the person who has died.
01603 431788
https://www.facebook.com/nelsonsjourney.norfolk
NATIONAL SUPPORT
ARC – Antenatal Results and Choices
“ARC is the only national charity helping parents and healthcare professionals through antenatal screening and its consequences.
ARC offers non-directive information and support to parents before, during and after antenatal screening; when they are told their baby has an anomaly; when they are making difficult decisions about continuing with or ending a pregnancy, and when they are coping with complex and painful issues after making a decision, including bereavement.
Please see their website for lots of detailed information.
ARC’s national helpline is answered by trained staff Monday to Friday, 10.00am-5.30pm. Call 0207 713 7486.
The ARC Forum has been set up as a safe place for ARC parent members to make contact with other people who have lost a baby following a prenatal diagnosis, in order to provide support and lessen the sense of isolation. Find out more, and join the forum.”
0207 713 7486
https://www.facebook.com/antenatalresultsandchoices
The Twins Trust
“The Twins Trust Bereavement Support Service exists to support all parents and carers of twins, triplets or more who have died whether it was during or after pregnancy.”
bereavementsupport@twinstrust.org
0800 1380509
https://twinstrust.org/bereavement.html
The Miscarriage Association
“The Miscarriage Association offers support and information to those affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
They offer a number of other avenues for emotional support including a helpline and a supportive online forum on our website.”
info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
01924 200 799
https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/MiscarriageAssociation
Tommys
“Tommy’s funds medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage. Through their clinics, research centres, pregnancy information service and support line run by the team of Tommy’s midwives, they support parents and families who lose a baby, experience premature birth and to help everyone have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
The Tommy’s website has a huge collection of articles and videos full of support and guidance. They also have Facebook communities for bereaved parents and those pregnant following a loss.
Tommy’s has state of the art NHS clinics in London, Manchester and Edinburgh – see the website for more information about being refered to a Tommy’s clinic.”
https://www.tommys.org/our-organisation/help-and-support
https://www.facebook.com/tommys
Lullaby Trust
“The Lullaby Trust offer confidential bereavement support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child.
If you would like the opportunity to talk freely, for as long as required, with a sympathetic and understanding listener please call their bereavement support helpline or email.”
support@lullabytrust.org.uk
0808 802 6868
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/bereavement-support/
https://www.facebook.com/LullabyTrust
Sands (National)
“Sands supports anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. Bereavement support is at the core of everything they do.
Some of the services that they offer include a free national helpline and a bereavement support app for parents, families, carers and health professionals; a UK-wide network of support groups with trained befrienders; an online forum enabling bereaved families to connect with each other and a wide range of bereavement support resources available online and in print.
Discover the Sands Bereavement Support App and how you can download it – https://www.sands.org.uk/about-sands/sands-bereavement-support-app
https://www.sands.org.uk/support-you/how-we-offer-support”
0808 164 3332.
https://www.facebook.com/sandscharity
Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
“The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust believes that the deaths and trauma associated with ectopic pregnancy should be prevented or minimised and seeks to support women and their families through this difficult period of their lives. The Charity also provides Information, Education and Support to medical professionals who treat early pregnancy complications.
They have a comprehensive website with a patients’ information section, Message Forums, where you can speak to others who have experienced ectopic pregnancy and obtain medically moderated and overseen replies. You can also speak to someone by ringing the support line or sending an email to arrange a call back.”
helpline@ectopic.org.uk
020 7733 2653
https://www.facebook.com/ectopicpregnancytrust
BEREAVEMENT SERVICES
Remember My Baby – remembrance photography
“Remember My Baby’ (RMB) is a UK based registered charity which offers a gift of baby remembrance photography to UK parents experiencing the loss of their baby before, during or shortly after birth.
RMB offers a free gift of baby remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby either before, during or shortly after birth. By offering sensitive and beautiful remembrance photography, we hope that the small gift we can provide to families will bring some comfort in the days, months and many, many years to come. It can also help parents with the grief and healing process.
If you need to request a photographer, please call 0808 189 2345 for prompt assistance as using the contact form on the website may cause a delay in a member of the team contacting you.”
info@remembermybaby.org.uk
0808 189 2345
Heart in their hand charms
“You can order a heart(s) to help create a tangible connection to your little one at this difficult time.
There is a section where you can ‘sponsor’ hearts for other bereaved families, information for bereavement midwives, how charities can help and information about fundraising to help get hearts in to more babies hands.”
https://www.heartintheirhand.com/
Cherished Gowns
Cherished Gowns UK is a registered charity (1172482), that provide the families of babies that are stillborn, miscarried or pass away shortly after birth with items of clothing that they are able to be dressed in for their funeral. We provide UK hospitals with 5 different sizes of Cherished Gown packs that include a gown, hat, booties, blanket and a cloth nappy. We also send gown packs directly to parents who are unable to find anything to fit their precious baby on request.
https://www.cherishedgowns.org.uk/
Aching Arms
“Aching arms support bereaved parents and offer the hand of friendship via email, text or phone call support from trained befrienders.
They provide Aching Arms bears to hospitals and hospices for midwives and nurses to offer to bereaved parents in their care. We also donate bears to baby loss support groups, funeral directors and to families who contact us via our website, email, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Bereaved parents can also request a bear by completing the form here – https://achingarms.co.uk/request-a-bear-form/”
support@achingarms.co.uk
7464508994
https://www.facebook.com/AchingArmsUk
Saying Goodbye
“Saying Goodbye provides comprehensive information, advice, support and much more to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
They run regular baby loss church services across the country (currently online). See their website or social media for more information.”
https://www.sayinggoodbye.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SayingGoodbyeUK
The Samaritans
Need support? We’re here to listen 24 hours, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 for free or view other ways to get in touch.
116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
OTHER HELP
Baby MPS (Mailing Preferences Service) online
Free site where parents can register online to stop or at least reduce baby-related mailings of samples, offers, advertisements etc
Book List
The Miscarriage Association have produced an excellent list of books focusing on many different aspects of pregnancy and baby loss.
https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/information/other-resources/books/
Twitter – Baby Loss Hour
“Baby Loss Hour aims to create a regular space for those affected or invested in Baby Loss to share, learn and connect about life after loss.
The baby loss community join together to discuss a topic or question on Twitter.
Baby Loss Hour is every Tuesday, 8-9pm from @thelegacyofleo and the #BabyLossHour hashtag.”