Clare Haycock, who has been a member of Sands Bereavement Support Services team since 2022, has become our new Workplace Bereavement Support Officer, focusing on guiding both employers and employees through the difficult process of returning to work after pregnancy or baby loss.
This dedicated role will allow Clare to provide unique support to employers as they navigate and assist employees who have been affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby to return to the workplace, but also be available to those employees who are learning how to adapt in a world that could feel painfully different to what they had hoped.
As a qualified counsellor specialising in maternal health, Clare brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. She has also pursued additional qualifications in supporting individuals experiencing complex trauma and PTSD, giving her the ability to provide comprehensive and holistic support.
For me, this role is about more than just providing support; it’s about empowering individuals to navigate their grief journey in a safe way, creating awareness and an empathetic work culture, and educating those who don’t have experience of baby loss.
From our work with bereaved parents, it became clear that returning to work after pregnancy and baby loss is a significant and challenging milestone. We listened to your experiences and identified a need for support during this difficult transition. It is with great pleasure that I can offer this dedicated service, ensuring that parents receive the compassionate support they need as they navigate their return to work.”
Clare - Workplace Bereavement Support Officer, Sands
Who can access the bereavement in the workplace support?
This service is for anyone who is looking for support around pregnancy and baby loss in the workplace. Whether you are:
- An employee getting ready to return to work after pregnancy or baby loss
- An employer who is looking for guidance on preparing the workplace for a bereaved employee or colleague’s return
- A colleague or friend of a bereaved parent looking for ways to support
- Someone who has been affected by loss themselves and has heard the news of an employee, employer or colleague who has sadly lost their baby
- A bereaved parent who would like some support after someone at work has announced a new pregnancy
- An employee who is wanting to announce a new pregnancy but is unsure how to manage that sensitively
No matter how you are affected by pregnancy or baby loss in the workplace, Clare will be available to provide you with dedicated support.
Support for you
Whether you are a bereaved parent, a colleague or an employer, we are here for you. There are a few ways for you to access support from Clare if you need.
You can send Clare a direct email at, workplace@sands.org.uk or you can find out all the other ways we can offer support.
If you would prefer, you can also book onto one of our new online support clinics where Clare can provide 30 minutes of one-to-one support.
Our support booklet, “Pregnancy and Baby Loss at Work,” is a resource for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss and their employers. It includes lots of practical advice on ways to tell your colleagues and employer, knowing when to return to work and your workplace entitlements. It also offers guidance for employers on creating a supportive environment, managing someone’s return to work and templates to help you find the right words.
Bereavement in the Workplace
Our Bereavement in the Workplace training is designed to help managers and colleagues to understand pregnancy or baby loss, find the words to support bereaved staff, implement best practice and navigate relevant employment law.
We believe everyone should have access to the best support available. With thanks to funding from the Department of Health and Social Care and from our generous supporters, we are able to offer free training to small and medium-sized organisations (less than 250 employees) until 31 March 2025.
Find out more about our Bereavement in the Workplace training.