At Sands we support anyone affected by the death of a baby. Our experienced Helpline Team are here to listen and offer support and information without judgement, whenever you need it.
However, you may have a medical or personal issue related to the death of your baby that you would like further information about from another organisation. Here we are pleased to provide links to other websites, in thematic order, which we hope may be useful.
Please note that inclusion in this list does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of an organisation and we cannot be held responsible for any information, advice or services provided by any organisation listed here.
Useful links are grouped into the following categories
- Bereavement Support after the death of a baby
- Bereavement Support and Counselling
- Children's Grief
- Cultural and Religious Support
- Mental Health Support
- Relationship Counselling and Support
- Pregnancy Related Issues
- Advice and Information
- Medical Conditions
- Bereavement Photography/Keepsakes/Jewellery
- Funerals and Services
- Research and Prevention
- Domestic Violence and Abuse
- Support for those who aren't necessarily bereaved
- Stories from bereaved parents
- Other Bereavements
Bereavement support after the death of a baby
A Child of Mine – Help for Bereaved Parents
Providing accurate, up to date practical information and guidance after the death of a child. Ensuring professional bereavement services are improved through the experience of other bereaved families. Designing and delivering more direct services to families after the death of a child, including financial assistance, support and practical advice.
Helpline on 07803 751229 from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Telephone: 01785 283 434
Email: hello@achildofmine.org.uk
Website: www.achildofmine.org.uk
Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC)
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. They offer a Helpline, support network and literature for parents, families and professionals.
Helpline: 0845 077 2290 or 0207 713 7486
Monday-Friday, from 10:00am until 5:30pm
Email: info@arc-uk.org
Website: www.arc-uk.org
At A Loss
An online site where users can search for the most suitable support throughout UK.
Website: http://www.ataloss.org/find-support/search
Brief Lives-Remembered
Brief Lives-Remembered traces the resting place of babies who were stillborn or died many years ago.
Website: https://www.brieflives-remembered.co.uk/
Care for the Family
Care for the Family provides parent support, family support and bereavement support. This is a family orientated organisation, promoting strong family life, and help with any difficulties within a family. It has a Christian compassion ethos. They run parenting courses throughout the UK
Telephone: 029 2081 0800
Email: mail@cff.org.uk
Website: www.careforthefamily.org.uk
Child Bereavement UK – CBUK
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a child of any age has died or is dying and when a child is bereaved.
Child Bereavement UK offers support for adults and bereaved children and young people up to the age of 25.
Offers free face to face bereavement support in these areas: Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Glasgow, Leeds, Milton Keynes, East London, West London.
National Helpline: 0800 02 888 40
Monday to Friday, from 9:00am – 5:0pm
Email: support@childbereavementuk.org
Live chat via website
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
The Child Death Helpline
A dedicated helpline that offers support to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, under any circumstances, however recent or long ago.
Helpline: Freephone 0800 282 986 or 0808 800 6019
Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm, Tuesdays 1pm to 4pm, Wednesdays 1pm to 4pm
Every evening 7pm to 10pm
Email: contact@childdeathhelpline.org
Website: http://childdeathhelpline.org.uk
Also offers free interpretation for languages other than English on the phone.
The Compassionate Friends
An organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child or children.
National Helpline: 0345 123 2304 (Daily 10:00am-4:00pm, 7:00pm-10:00pm)
Northern Ireland Helpline: 0288 77 88 016 (Daily 10:00am-4:00pm, 7:00pm-9:30pm)
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
Email: helpline@tcf.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care offers free support for people bereaved by death, in any way, whatever their age, nationality or belief. Help includes 1-to-1 bereavement support, bereavement support groups and advice or information on practical matters and a helpline.
Cruse has a dedicated website for young people: www.hopeagain.org.uk A special feature of this site is a message board where young people can share their experiences and receive replies from trained young supporters.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk or info@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies, emotional support for bereaved families and raises awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Bereavement Support Helpline: 0808 802 6868
Info & advice: 0808 802 6869
Open Monday – Friday 10:00am – 5:00m
Weekends and Public Holidays 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Email: support@lullabytrust.org.uk
Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Miscarriage Association
The Miscarriage Association offers support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in early pregnancy. They also raise awareness of miscarriage and promote good practice in medical care. They provide a network of support groups and telephone contacts throughout the UK.
Helpline: 01924 200799
Monday–Friday, from 9.00am – 4.00pm
Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Website: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/
Petals
Petals is the Baby Loss Counselling Charity. They provide free-of-charge specialist counselling to support the mental health of women, men and couples who experience pregnancy or baby loss. Their counsellors provide a safe space to guide parents through the grief and trauma of their devastating experience to a place of reconciliation and hope for the future.
Petals’ national online video counselling service provides psychological support to people across the UK, and in some areas they also provide counselling in person, in partnership with hospital Trusts.
Tel (counselling queries): 0300 688 0068 (local charges apply)
Email: counselling@petalscharity.org
Website: www.petalscharity.org
Saying Goodbye
Part of the Mariposa Trust. Saying Goodbye provides Cathedral remembrance services for anyone whose baby has died at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
Telephone: 0845 293 8027
Email: info@sayinggoodbye.org
Website: www.sayinggoodbye.org
Website: www.mariposatrust.org
Admin: office@sayinggoodbye.org
Twins Trust Bereavement Support Group
Twins Trust Bereavement Service offers support, community and information to parents who have experienced the death of a baby or child from a multiple pregnancy.
The Support Group offers parent to parent support via their befriending service and via their closed Facebook bereavement support group.
Website: https://twinstrust.org/bereavement.html
Email: familyservices@twinstrust.org
For Health Professionals supporting bereaved families, https://twinstrust.org/healthcare-professionals.html or email hcengagement@twinstrust.org
Scottish Cot Death Trust
Founded in 1985, the Scottish Cot Death Trust is the only charity in Scotland dedicated to the sudden unexpected death of babies and young children. They work to make a difference by aiming to find the answers through funding research, provide support for bereaved families and educate the public and professionals about sudden unexpected death in infants (SUDI).
If you are a parent or family member:
Telephone: 0141 357 3946
Email: contact@scottishcotdeathtrust.org
Website: www.scottishcotdeathtrust.org
If you are an agency that would like to make a referral, you can access their referral form.
Bereavement Support and Counselling
At A Loss
A website where users can search for the most suitable support throughout UK, tailored to type of loss and age of bereaved.
Website: http://www.ataloss.org/find-support/search
Baby Loss Retreat
Baby Loss Retreat was set up to help families trying to cope with the death of their baby.
"We also provide Counselling, Trauma Therapy & Listening Music Therapy for siblings affected by loss. We have both male & female Bereavement Counsellors. We also hold a support group on the last Monday or Tuesday of the month. This information can be found on our Facebook event page (2) Baby Loss Retreat | Facebook
We also have speakers who attend to support families with anxiety, depression and sleeping. As a charity we like to offer a variety of support to give families an option and to get the right support for each individual. Everyone is welcome to come along."
Website: https://babylossretreat.org.uk/
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
Provide information about how counselling can benefit you or those close to you, and how to find a private therapist. Most will charge a fee.
Customer Services: 01455 883300 – Tweet @BCAP – Text 01455 883300
Monday-Friday, from 9.00am until 5:00pm
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Website to search for counsellors in your area: http://www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/therapists
British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Therapies (CBT)
Details of all officially accredited CBT Therapists. All the practitioners listed here are accredited members of either the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), which is the lead organisation for CBT in the UK and Ireland, or the Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (AREBT)
Website: https://babcp.com/
Website to search for therapists: http://www.cbtregisteruk.com/Default.aspx
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care offers free support for people bereaved by death, in any way, whatever their age, nationality or belief. Help includes 1-to-1 bereavement support, bereavement support groups and advice or information on practical matters and a helpline.
Cruse has a special website for young people, www.hopeagain.org.uk A special feature of this site is a message board where young people can share their experiences and receive replies from trained young supporters.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk or info@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
The UK’s leading professional body for the education, training and accreditation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Most will charge a fee.
Telephone: 020 7014 9955
Email: info@ukcp.org.uk
Website: www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Children's Grief
At A Loss
An online site where users can search for the most suitable support throughout the UK.
Website: http://www.ataloss.org/find-support/search
Child Bereavement UK - CBUK
Offer a service for bereaved families and professionals when a child has died or is dying and when a child is bereaved. The organisation provides information and guidance, signposting to other agencies, support and resources. The CBUK website has a discussion forum for families and for professionals.
Bereavement Support & Information Helpline: 0800 02 888 40
Monday to Friday, from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Email: support@childbereavementuk.org
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Childhood Bereavement Network
The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) is the hub for those working with bereaved children, young people and their families across the UK.
Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/
Regional map of support available: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/help-around-a-death/find-help-near-you.aspx
Hope Again
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place, where young people who are facing grief can share their stories with others.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Monday-Friday, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Email: hopeagain@cruse.org.uk
Website: http://hopeagain.org.uk/
Email for parents/adults: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Winston’s Wish
Winston's Wish offer practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families and professionals. Helpline: 08452 03 04 05
Open Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm and Wednesday evenings 7:00pm-9:30pm
General enquiries: 01242 515157
Email: info@winstonswish.org.uk
Website: www.winstonswish.org.uk
Cultural and Religious support
Children of Jannah
Children of Jannah aims to meet the needs of grieving Muslim parents in the UK and beyond, providing practical, emotional and spiritual support, whilst educating friends, families, professionals and others to be better able to support them.
Support & Information Line: 0161 480 5156
Monday-Thursday, 10:00am-2:00pm
Bereavement support: http://childrenofjannah.com/our-work/support/bereavement-support-group/
Email: support@childrenofjannah.com
Website: http://childrenofjannah.com/
Christian Forums - Grief Support
A forum specifically for the support of members who are dealing with grief.
www.christianforums.com/forums/caregivers-family-grief-support.43
The Gardens of Peace
A registered charitable trust managing the largest Muslim Cemetery in the UK. Includes advice, and details of facilities and services offered.
Telephone: 07729 707 013 or 020 8502 6000
Email: info@gardens-of-peace.org.uk
Website: www.gardens-of-peace.org.uk
Muslim Bereavement Support Service
A non-profit organisation serving the Muslim community by supporting bereaved mothers who have lost a child at any stage. They also work with other organisations, the NHS and hospices in particular, to give a spiritual context to the bereavement support services they offer.
Telephone: 020 3468 7333
Email info@mbss.org.uk
Website: http://mbss.org.uk/
The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service
The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service (JBCS) is committed to ensuring that professional, skilled and confidential bereavement counselling is available to everyone in the Jewish Community. They have experience in supporting people affected by loss, including suicide, disaster, holocaust issues, sudden infant death, miscarriages, still birth and abortion.
Telephone: 0208 951 3881
Email: enquiries@jbcs.org.uk
Website: http://jbcs.org.uk/
Mental Health Support
Anxiety UK
Provides support and help if you’ve been diagnosed with, or suspect you may have an anxiety condition.
Infoline: 08444 775 774 (Monday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm)
Admin Enquiries: 0161 226 7727
Text Service: 07537 416905
Email: support@anxietyuk.org
Website: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT)
Improving Access to Psychological Therapy is an NHS service designed to offer psychological therapies to people suffering from anxiety, depression and stress.
Website: http://www.nhs.uk/service-search/Psychological-therapies-(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008
Maytree Suicidal Sanctuary
A registered charity supporting people in suicidal crisis in a non-medical setting. For those in a suicidal crisis, Maytree offers short-term accommodation with befriending in a confidential, supportive and non-medical environment.
Telephone: 020 7263 7070
Email: maytree@maytree.org.uk
Website: www.maytree.org.uk
Mind
Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Telephone: 020 8519 2122
Email: contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Mind Cymru Telephone: 029 2039 5123
No Panic UK
A registered charity which helps people who suffer from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders including those people who are trying to give up tranquillizers.
Helpline: 0844 967 4848 (Everyday 10:00am-10:00pm)
Youth Helpline: 01753 840 393 (For 13-20 year olds, open Monday-Friday 4pm-7pm) Crisis Number 01952 680835 (24 hour recorded message)
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UK
Information for those living with PTSD
Website: http://www.ptsduk.org/
Samaritans
A registered charity who support anyone in distress, around the clock, through 201 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Telephone: 116 123 (UK) – 116 123 (ROI) (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Email: jo@samaritans.org.
Visit your local Samaritans Branch http://www.samaritans.org/branches
Write to: Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA
Website: www.samaritans.org
SANE
Sane is a leading UK mental health charity working to improve quality of life for people affected by mental illness.
Helpline: 0300 304 7000 (6:00pm-1:00pm daily)
Email: info@sane.org.uk
Website: www.sane.org.uk
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
Offers support to those bereaved by suicide.
Helpline: 0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm every day)
Website: http://uk-sobs.org.uk/
Also has useful online search engine for support for people who are feeling suicidal:
http://uk-sobs.org.uk/we-can-help/feeling-suicidal/#orgs
Trauma Assist
Trauma recovery care. Has traumatic bereavement and children’s trauma support, including face to face counselling options.
Website: http://assisttraumacare.org.uk/
Helpline: 01788 560800
Relationship Counselling and Support
Relate
Has free web based live chat with a counsellor, but otherwise support services are fee based. These include, face to face, telephone counselling, email support, webcam counselling.
Website: https://www.relate.org.uk/
Telephone: 0300 100 1234
Marriage Care
Relationship and marriage care and support. Has Catholic ethos but offers relationship support that is “non-biased” (quote from their helpline)
Website: http://www.marriagecare.org.uk/
Helpline: 0800 389 3801
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
The BACP provides information about how counselling can benefit you or those close to you, and how to find a private therapist.
Customer Services: 01455 883300 – Tweet @BCAP – Text 01455 883300
Monday-Friday, from 9.00am until 5:00pm
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Find a therapist: http://www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/therapists
UKCP
The UK’s leading professional body for the education, training and accreditation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors.
Find a therapist: www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Pregnancy Related Issues
Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC)
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. ARC offers a Helpline, support network and literature for parents, families and professionals.
Helpline: 0845 077 2290 or 0207 713 7486
Monday-Friday, from 10:00am until 5:30pm
Email: info@arc-uk.org
Website: www.arc-uk.org
Bliss, for babies born premature or sick
Bliss exists to ensure that all babies born too soon, too small or too sick in the UK have the best possible chance of survival and of reaching their full potential. Bliss supports families, work with health professionals, and campaign for improved hospital resources across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Family support helpline: 0808 801 0322
Monday– Friday, from 10:00am – 4:00pm and from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Website: www.bliss.org.uk
Email: hello@bliss.org.uk
British Pregnancy Advisory Service - BPAS
BPAS supports reproductive choice and health by advocating and providing high quality, affordable services to prevent unwanted pregnancies with contraception or end them by abortion.
Telephone: 03457 30 40 30
Website: https://www.bpas.org
The Beresford Centre
The Beresford Pregnancy Counselling Centre is located in Newport South Wales and provides professional and confidential services to people in Newport, Caerphilly, Chepstow, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, Sirhowy and Rhymney Valleys.
They offer free pregnancy tests, information about pregnancy options and confidential support.
Website: http://www.beresfordcentre.org.uk
Pregnancy Choices Directory
The following link leads to a search tool for support options/organisations throughout the UK: http://www.pregnancychoicesdirectory.com
City Pregnancy Counselling & Psychotherapy in London
Staffed by a volunteer team of professionally qualified and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists CPCP is a service located in the centre of London that provides a safe, professional, confidential and non-judgmental space for women, men and couples to discuss their difficulties with pregnancy, pregnancy loss and related issues.
Telephone: 020 7638 5440
Email: info@citypregnancy.org.uk
Website: www.citypregnancy.org.uk
Kicks Count
Kicks Count is a UK registered charity that aims to lower the UK’s stillbirth and neonatal death rate by raising awareness of baby’s movements in pregnancy.
Email: info@kickscount.org.uk
Website: www.kickscount.org.uk/
Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Provides information, education and support to those affected by early pregnancy complications and to the health professionals who care for them.
Helpline: 020 7733 2653 (24 hour answering service)
Website: www.ectopic.org.uk
Fertility Network UK
Offers advice and support for people dealing with infertility problems and/or facing a life without children. Campaigns for greater understanding of infertility issues and timely and consistent provision of infertility care through the UK.
Info Line: 01424 732 361
Email: support@fertilitynetworkuk.org
Website: http://fertilitynetworkuk.org
Tommy’s
In the UK 1 in 4 mums and dads will lose a baby during pregnancy or birth. Tommy’s exists to change this and their goal is to help more mums and dads have a healthy baby and to halve the number of babies who die during pregnancy or birth by 2030.
Tel: 0207 398 3400
Email: mailbox@tommys.org
Website: www.tommys.org
Advice and Information
ACAS
Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides information, advice, training, conciliation and other services for employers and employees to help prevent or resolve workplace problems.
Telephone: 0300 123 1100, 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturday
Website: http://www.acas.org.uk
Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA)
Free and confidential advice and support to people affected by medical accidents, via a helpline and casework service.
Helpline: 0345 123 2352, Monday-Friday, from 10:00am – 3:30pm
Website: www.avma.org.uk/help-advice/helpline/
Baby MPS (Mailing Preference Service) online
Free site where parents can register online to stop or at least reduce baby-related mailings of samples, offers, advertisements etc.
Website: www.mpsonline.org.uk/bmpsr
Telephone: 0207 291 3310
Email: bmps@dma.org.uk
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offer free, confidential, impartial and independent advice from over 3,500 locations through the UK.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The Coroner's Court Support Service
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS) is an independent voluntary organisation whose trained volunteers offer emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending an Inquest at a Coroner’s Court.
Helpline: 0300 111 2141
Website: www.coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk
Email: info@ccsupport.org.uk
Gov.UK – Funeral Payments
Online information about Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments and a downloadable form.
Website: www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview
Gov.UK – Maternity Benefits
Money Advice Service
Free and impartial money advice, set up by the UK Government.
Telephone: 0800 138 7777, Monday-Friday, from 8:00am-8:00pm, Saturday from 9:00am-1:00pm
Website: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en
PALS – Patient Advice and Liaison Service
PALS offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers. You can find officers from PALS in your local hospital.
You can find your nearest PALS office on the NHS Choices website.
You can also ask your GP surgery, hospital or phone NHS 111 for details of your nearest PALS.
Website: http://www.nhs.uk/service-search/patient-advice-and-liaison-services-(pals)/locationsearch/363
Registry Offices for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
England and Wales: www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content
Scotland: www.nrscotland.gov.uk
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/contacts-az/general-register-office-northern-ireland
Working Families
Helps working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. Free legal helpline for advice on employment rights and basic advice on benefits and tax credits.
Advice helpline: 0300 012 0312
Email: advice@workingfamilies.org.uk
Website: www.workingfamilies.org.uk
Medical Conditions
Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC)
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. They offer a Helpline, support network and literature for parents, families and professionals.
Helpline: 0845 077 2290 or 0207 713 7486, Monday-Friday, from 10:00am until 5:30pm
Email: info@arc-uk.org
Website: www.arc-uk.org
Action on Pre-Eclampsia (APEC)
Helps and supports women who have had or are worried about pre-eclampsia, HELLP Syndrome and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).
Helpline: 0208 427 4217 (Open Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm)
Telephone: 01386 761848
Email: info@apec.org.uk
Website: www.apec.org.uk
Group B Strep Support
An independent UK charity, formed to help prevent preventable Group B Strep infections in newborn babies.
Telephone: 01444 416 176
Email: info@gbss.org.uk
Website: https://gbss.org.uk/
Contact a Family
Contact a Family is a national charity that exists to support the families of disabled children whatever their condition or disability. They provide information, advice and support and bring families together so they can support each other. They campaign to improve their circumstances, and for their right to be included and equal in society.
Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Telephone: 020 7608 8700
Email: info@cafamily.org.uk
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk
ICP Support
Offers support and information to women who have suffered from Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) or suspect they might have the condition.
Support Line: 07939 871 929 (Open Monday – Friday 9:00am – 8:00pm)
Email: supportline@icpsupport.org
Website: www.icpsupport.org
Bereavement Photography
Gifts of Remembrance
Gifts of Remembrance is a non-profit social enterprise set up by Rachel Hayden, bereaved parent and volunteer photographer, which provides training for hospital staff and volunteers who support parents whose baby is stillborn or dies shortly after birth.
Website: http://giftsofremembrance.co.uk/
Remember my Baby
Free remembrance photography. UK based registered charity who have professional photographers volunteering their photography services for the benefit of UK parents losing their baby before, during or shortly after birth.
Website: http://www.remembermybaby.org.uk/
Now I lay me down to sleep
An American website that puts bereaved parents in touch with professional photographers who will take photographs of their babies at little or no cost. Be aware: Site shows examples of photographs of babies of all gestations. Click on Find a photographer > United Kingdom for a short list of UK photographers.
Website: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
Funerals and Services
British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association has a network of accredited funeral officiants who can help to plan and conduct a non-religious funeral ceremony.
Telephone: 020 7324 3060
Email: ceremonies@humanism.org.uk
Website: www.humanism.org.uk
Child Funeral Charity
Assist families financially in England and Wales who have to arrange a funeral for a baby or child aged 16 or under.
Telephone: 01480 276088, Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Email: enquiries@childfuneralcharity.org.uk
Website: www.childfuneralcharity.org.uk
Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA)
Organisation of cremation authorities.
Telephone: 020 8669 4521
Website: www.fbca.org.uk
Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM)
The ICCM sets ethical professional and social standards for the management of burial, cremation and related services, and provides education and training. (Formerly the ICBA – Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration).
Telephone: 020 8989 4661
Email: julie.callender@iccm-uk.com
Website: www.iccm-uk.com
National Association of Funeral Directors
Advice, a code of practice and addresses for people planning a funeral or looking for a funeral director.
Telephone: 0121 711 1343
Monday-Friday, from 9:00am - 5:00pm
Email: info@nafd.org.uk
Website: www.nafd.org.uk
National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM)
Advice and addresses for people who want a memorial stone.
Telephone: 01788 542264
Website: www.namm.org.uk
Natural Death Centre
Advice for families and others on burial in a woodland or nature reserve site and on organising informal and environmentally-friendly funerals.
Has info on alternative coffins/containers and suppliers
Helpline: 01962 712 690
Website: www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Rowland Brothers International
International funeral directors who offer a repatriation service.
Website: https://rowlandbrothersinternational.com/
Saying Goodbye
Part of the Mariposa Trust. Saying Goodbye provides Cathedral remembrance services for anyone who has lost babies at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
Telephone: 0845 293 8027
Email: info@sayinggoodbye.org
Website: www.sayinggoodbye.org / www.mariposatrust.org
Research and Prevention
Kicks Count
Kicks Count is a UK registered charity that aims to lower the UK’s stillbirth and neonatal death rate by raising awareness of baby’s movements in pregnancy.
Email: info@kickscount.org.uk
Website: www.kickscount.org.uk/
International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA)
The ISA is an international coalition of organisations dedicated to understanding the causes and prevention of stillbirth. It raises awareness, educates on recommended precautionary practices and facilitates research on stillbirth.
Website: www.stillbirthalliance.org
Perinatal Institute for maternal and child health
The Perinatal Institute is a national not-for-profit organisation set up to enhance the safety and quality of maternity care. It is a qualified provider of maternity support services, including education and training in standardised maternity records, fetal growth assessment and perinatal audit.
Telephone: 0121 607 0101
Website: www.perinatal.org.uk
Tommy’s
In the UK 1 in 4 mums and dads will lose a baby during pregnancy or birth. Tommy’s exists to change this and their goal is to help more mums and dads have a healthy baby and to halve the number of babies who die during pregnancy or birth by 2030.
Tel: 0800 0147 800 0207 398 3400
Domestic violence and abuse
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a feminist organisation that exists to promote the needs and rights of women and girls who have experienced sexual violence, to improve services to them and to work towards the elimination of sexual violence.
Freephone helpline 0808 802 9999 (Everyday 12:00 - 2.30pm & 7:00 - 9.30pm and 3:00pm – 5:30pm weekdays)
Website: https://rapecrisis.org.uk
Refuge
Refuge supports 3,700 women and children on any given day through a range of services, including refuges, independent advocacy, community outreach and culturally specific services
0808 2000 247 - Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
Relate
The UK's largest provider of relationship support. Every year they help over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships.
Telephone: 0300 100 1234
Website: www.relate.org.uk
Women’s Aid
The national charity for women and children working to end domestic abuse.
Telephone: 0117 944 4411, Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm
Freephone 24 hr National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Email: info@womensaid.org.uk
Email Helpline: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Website: www.womensaid.org.uk
Support for those who aren't necessarily bereaved
Multiple Births Foundation (MBF)
Support and information for families with twins and higher multiple births, and information for professionals.
Telephone: 020 3313 3519 or 020 8313 3519
Email: mbf@imperial.nhs.uk
Website: www.multiplebirths.org.uk
Rainbow Families
Rainbow Families is an informal social group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) parents and their children in Brighton, Hove, Sussex and surrounding areas. Membership is open to all LGBTQ parents and prospective parents and their children.
Email: info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk
Website: www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk
Twins Trust
The web site of the only parent organisation in the UK providing information and support to couples who are expecting, or who have had, a multiple birth.
Website: https://twinstrust.org/
The Royal College Of Midwives
Website: https://www.rcm.org.uk/
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Website: https://www.rcog.org.uk/
The Royal College Of Pathology
Website: https://www.rcpath.org
Stories from bereaved parents
The Legacy of Leo: LGBT babyloss
Experiences of babyloss written by LGBT families.
Website: www.thelegacyofleo.com/category/lgbt-baby-loss
Isla's Journey
Website: www.islasjourney.com
Other Bereavements
At A Loss
At A Loss provides an online tool where users can search for the most suitable support throughout UK, tailored to type of bereavement and age of user.
Website: http://www.ataloss.org/find-support/search
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care offers free support for people bereaved by death, in any way, whatever their age, nationality or belief. Help includes bereavement support groups and advice or information on practical matters and a helpline.
Cruse has a special website for young people, www.hopeagain.org.uk. A special feature of this site is a message board where young people can share their experiences and receive replies from trained young supporters.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk or info@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
The Loss Foundation
UK charity dedicated solely to providing bereavement support following the loss of a loved one to cancer, whether that be spouses, family members, friends or colleagues.
Website: https://www.thelossfoundation.org
Telephone: 0300 200 4112
The National Association of Widows
Road Peace
For anyone affected by death following a road accident.
Website: http://www.road-peace.org.uk/