Baby Loss Awareness Week at Holyrood

We were proud to be one of over 40 charities taking part in Baby Loss Awareness Week, the 9th-15th October. It has been a really busy time for us all in the run up to the week and during the week itself, with so much more awareness and media interest than ever before.

As part of the week, we co-hosted the Scottish Parliamentary Candle Event with SANDS UK on the 5th October. The event was a chance for MSPs, Scottish Goverment officials, NHS staff, third sector professionals and families to come together and remember Baby Loss Awareness Week. It was a wonderful day to celebrate that we are all part of better bereavement care and making sure that no parent is alone at this time.

Clea Harmer (CEO Sands) opened the event speaking to guests from Scottish Government, MSPs, NHS senior staff, third sector representatives, the Lord Provost and SANDS volunteers from across Scotland. Nicky Reynolds then spoke about her precious son Ramsay and the excellent bereavement care she received and the ongoing support from SANDS Lothians. Nicky is a wonderful speaker and held us captivated with her beautiful words and precious photos. Thanks to Lynn Rose from NHS Lothian, who told the story of their bereavement care journey in both St Johns and RIE. They are a wonderful example of what all hospitals should be aiming to achieve.

Huge thanks to Jeremy Balfour MSP for hosting the event and giving a wonderful speech about bereavement support, third sector involvement and his own daughter Susanna who sadly died. Our CEO Nicola ended by thanking all those involved and encouraged everyone to leave committed to aiming to achieve this level of care throughout Scotland.

We ended by inviting all our guests to light a candle and write a message on our candle lanterns. We remain hopeful that good bereavement care will be available to all who need it. Bereaved parents deserve the best care possible and we are passionate and driven to see this happen.