For our Together, we are Sands campaign, we are celebrating the impact of the connections made within and beyond the Sands community.
Thank you to Jeanne for sharing her connection to our community – a community unlike any other.
"I first met Elaine Thorp in Birmingham in the late 1980s when she worked at the Women’s Hospital and I was a social worker at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. At that time we shared involvement in a patient’s care.
"As a midwife Elaine had become aware of the need for bereavement support for parents and families initially in her own hospital. She was subsequently appointed the Hospital’s Bereavement Officer, a trail blazing role.
"Some years later our paths crossed again at Sands where we spent time as Trustees together. I have many happy memories of her warm and engaging personality at various meetings and events.
"Elaine’s involvement with Sands included becoming Convenor of the West Region Network and later a national Trustee of the Charity and significantly the first non-bereaved parent Vice Chair.
"Working together as Trustees gave me the opportunity to get to know Elaine better and understand how important her pioneering vision of bereavement care was to her.
"In both her professional capacity and in her work with Sands Elaine was keenly aware of the importance of bereavement care training not only for clinicians and her fellow qualified midwives, but also other health professionals. She was a consistent advocate and promoter of appropriate training.
"Throughout her career Elaine achieved so much, gave so much and made such a difference to countless lives at a critical point.
"It was a real privilege to know Elaine and count her amongst my friends."
- Jeanne Nicholls, past Chair of Sands and bereaved mum
Read more stories of connections and keep checking for new ones throughout June.
Through all these different experiences, the one connection remains, our precious and loved babies.
Find out how you can get involved in the Together, we are Sands campaign.