Alongside our partners, supporters and volunteers across the UK, we're a team of caring, highly skilled staff working to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, improve bereavement care and fund research to save babies' lives. In this series of blogs, you can meet a few members of the team, hear about why they chose to work for Sands, and what inspires them in their work. The charity is divided into different departments, which work closely together to provide a lifeline when a baby dies. 

Meet Helen Butlin, who is Sands' Bereavement Support Services Manager

What is Helen's day to day job like?

Helen supports the multiple ways bereavement support is offered across Sands, through managing the Bereavement Support Services Team, developing the helpline, online support, information, materials and remembrance events. The team also works across the organisation to support other teams in their work with bereaved families.



She finds her inspiration in...

Helen is constantly inspired by the huge number of bereaved parents, grandparents and friends who dedicate their time and energy to supporting others through volunteering, fundraising and contributing to Sands campaigns and research.



In her previous roles with Cruse Bereavement Care and mental health charities, Helen offered person-centred support to people in crisis.

The proudest moment in her career was... 

...establishing a successful community art group supporting women who used self-harm to cope.



The best thing about Sands is...

The variety and the dedication of the staff and volunteers is what Helen loves most about Sands.



Fun facts!

In her younger years Helen sang in an all-girl indie band and in 2014 she climbed Kilimanjaro with her brother and sister, raising £3,000 for a Leeds based mental health charity.