Posted 15 February 2017

Bereaved mums and dads in Norfolk are inviting people who have been affected by the death of a baby, to come along to the re-launch of the local Sands (Stillbirth & neonatal death charity) support group.

The group supports parents whose baby has died before, during or shortly after birth. The first meeting of the new look group will take place on Thursday 2 March at Treat Norwich, Capitol House (ground floor), 20 Capitol House, 4-6 Heigham Street, Norwich NR2 4TE at 8pm.

The Norfolk group is re-launching to provide more support for bereaved parents than ever before as new befrienders and volunteers have recently joined. This will allow the committee to build on the continued support to the local hospitals that the previous several long standing committee members and volunteers provided, and strengthen the already positive links within the community.

After the re-launch, regular support meetings will take place on the first Thursday of the month from 8pm- 10pm at Treat Norwich, and bereaved parents are more than welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

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

Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, said: “We hope that the Norfolk Sands group will go from strength to strength in helping and supporting 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.”

For further information call 07493 802739, email: group.norfolksands@gmail.com or visit: www.norfolksands.org.uk Follow Sands on Twitter at @SandsUK

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Notes to editors

For further information, please contact Lee Armitt, Press and PR Officer in the Sands press office on 0203 598 1959/07587 925411 or media@uk-sands.org

About Sands

Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. They work nationally to reduce baby deaths through promoting better maternity care and funding research. They have a programme of training and a wide range of resources designed to support professionals to improve the bereavement care they provide following the death of a baby, and they provide a comprehensive bereavement support service both nationally through their helpline and locally through around 100 regional support groups based across the UK. Find out more about Sands.

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Support for you

Sands supports anyone who has been affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. Bereavement support is at the core of everything we do. Some of the services that we offer include a free national helpline for parents, families, carers and healthcare 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.

About Sands

Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this happened and for as long as they need support. Babies are dying every day. Currently in the UK, 13 families a day suffer the heartbreak of losing their baby before, during or shortly after birth. That’s around 4,500 babies a year. And at least 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. These numbers are shocking and show the scale of the problem. Currently, far too many babies die without scientists, doctors, midwives, or their own parents understanding why. That’s why we believe research is vital in improving our understanding of how to save babies’ lives and using that evidence to drive changes in maternity policy and practice. For more than 40 years, Sands has been here for anyone affected by pregnancy and baby loss to offer understanding and comfort through its Freephone helpline, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups. Sands works in partnership with health care professionals, trusts and health boards and offers a range of training programmes and bereavement care resources to ensure that every bereaved parent and family receives the best possible care wherever they are in the UK. Sands supports and promotes research to better understand the causes of baby deaths, improve maternity safety and save babies’ lives. The charity also raises awareness of baby loss and works with governments, key influencers and other stakeholders to make reducing the number of babies dying a priority nationally and locally.

Sands Groups

"I found myself on the phone to a woman whose baby, like mine, had died. 'Tell me about your baby,’ she said and I poured my heart out to a perfect stranger with whom I felt an instant connection." - Mum
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