Bereaved parents in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and the surrounding areas are inviting anyone in the local area who have also been affected by the death of a baby, to attend a new Sands support group.

Sands’ groups support parents whose baby has died before, during or shortly after birth. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday 6 June from 7.30pm-9.30pm at the Holiday Inn Express, 9 Wellowgate, Grimsby DN32 0RA. Regular monthly meetings will take place thereafter on the first Wednesday of the month at the same venue.

Bereaved parents from Grimsby and Cleethorpes and the surrounding areas are more than welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

Katy Mundford, Chair of Grimsby & Cleethorpes Sands, said: “I set up the group because I know how important support is to bereaved parents, and how much it’s needed.  Our little boy, Isaac died at 20 days old in 2010 and I attended the Leeds Sands group. I had very dark days and Sands was there for me as I received much needed support from other bereaved parents.   

“I moved to Cleethorpes a year ago, and was saddened there was no Sands group locally. I am passionate about the work Sands do, and believe strongly that a support group is needed in Grimsby and Cleethorpes.”

Sands’ groups are run on a voluntary basis by parents who have themselves experienced the death of a baby. 

Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive at Sands, said: “We hope the new Grimsby & Cleethorpes Sands group will help and support bereaved parents and their families at a devastating time for them. Many bereaved parents tell us that other parents who have experienced the death of a baby are able to offer real understanding and empathy. 

“I would urge anyone in the local area who is bereaved to come along to a group meeting in the future. We are dedicated to providing emotional support and information right from the early hours after a baby's death, through to the weeks, months and years ahead.”

The group would also like to recruit more befrienders so they can offer more support to bereaved parents. Befrienders provide support to anyone affected by the death of a baby over the phone and in person at group meetings.  New befrienders must successfully complete Sands’ training, and a minimum of two years must have passed since their baby died.

Katy Mundford and friends who have set up the group are working locally with the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. They have met with the bereavement midwife, chaplain and a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They hope to be able to work with the hospital and bereaved parents, and provide expert Sands bereavement care training to health care professionals in the future.    

For further information call Grimsby & Cleethorpes Sands on 07548 355913, email: grimsbycleethorpes@sands.org.uk or post a message on their Facebook page.