Sands - baby loss charity

"To improve the safety of maternity services we must prioritise learning from the experience of bereaved parents." - Robert Wilson, Head of the Sands & Tommy's Joint Policy Unit The latest Care Quality Commission 2024 Maternity Survey reveals troubling gaps in care and communication. As failures to listen and act on women’s worries persist, it’s clear that change is urgently needed to rebuild trust. Read Robert Wilson’s response to the findings in Health Service Journal ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eTExzaHt These findings echo a 2023 Sands survey of bereaved parents that found: ➡️more than a third (34%) did not have confidence in the staff caring for them ➡️almost half (48%) felt more could have been done for them and their baby Tommy's

Would you know what to say to a bereaved parent when they return to work? We know that it's not always easy to find the right words to say. But Sands can help 💙🧡 Our Bereavement in the Workplace training is designed to help managers and colleagues understand pregnancy and baby loss and feel more confident to support a bereaved colleague at work. Find out more about our CPD-accredited Bereavement in the Workplace training ⬇️ sands.org.uk/BITW 📢 Free for organisations (up to 250 staff) until 31 March 2025.

How do you include your baby during the festive season? Christmas can be a difficult time for anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss. Many of you like to include your baby in traditions or make new ones for them. Please know that we are here, if you are finding this time of year difficult 💙🧡 ➡️ sands.org.uk/support Thank you, Emma, for sharing your Christmas tradition… “I plan on lighting a special candle for my little girl this Christmas. It’ll have pride of place in the middle of the dinner table.” If you would like your quote to be featured, please leave it in the comments below 👇 If you would like your baby's name to be mentioned, please don't hesitate to add it to your quote.

We asked our community about the ways they remember their baby at Christmas. If you have experienced pregnancy or baby loss it can be helpful to include your baby in traditions in some way. Here are some ideas 💙🧡 - Light a candle in memory of your baby  - Instead of sending greetings cards, make a donation in memory of your baby  - Make or buy a special festive decoration in memory of your baby, maybe with their name on  - Donate a gift for a child who is the same age that your child would be, perhaps to a refuge or children’s charity  - Write a seasonal greetings card to your baby and keep it in their Memory Box or stocking  - Make a dedication to your baby on the Sands Winter Wishes page - Say your baby’s name out loud and talk about them to friends and family  - Use the days of advent to do random acts of kindness for others in memory of your baby  - Put some special time aside to sit and remember your baby  ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ea4HJfGc

Will you help create a different future for families? This Christmas, there are too many families with an empty seat at the table, a missing stocking or present under the tree. But we know that through targeted research and better care, we can provide answers and hope to families 💙🧡 Donate today ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eFa3g8HC

Dedicate a star to a much-loved baby on our Winter Wishes night sky 🌟 If you wish to leave a donation, your generosity will help continue our vital work to save babies lives and ensure every family receives the support they need 💙🧡 https://lnkd.in/eFPGzZpu

We’re delighted to share our latest Impact report today, which highlights what we have achieved together this past year in supporting families and creating change in maternity and bereavement care. Read how about our work, including the life-saving research we are involved in, our volunteer-led peer support and our training for healthcare professionals. None of this is possible without the support of the Sands community. Thank you! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e39__X96 [Image description: Photo of large group of supporters and parents gathered in the Sands Memorial Garden for Garden Day. Text reads "Sands 23-24 Impact Report out now"]

We know that high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to complications for women and babies. Sands supported the WiLL research trial to understand the best time for mothers to give birth when they have high blood pressure. The research showed that for mothers with high blood pressure, being induced at 38 weeks was just as safe as receiving usual care for both them and their babies. Three in four of the mothers who received usual care still ended up being induced before 40 weeks. Parents said they wanted clearer information about induction of labour, what it involved and when it would happen as part of usual care. Learn more ➡️ sands.org.uk/will-trial

Whether you choose to celebrate Christmas in ways that you did before, make new traditions or bypass Christmas altogether, there is no right way to get through the festive period. Managing the festive season can be difficult for those who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss. Do whatever works for you and your family and remember that this may change over time 💙🧡 Coping at Christmas ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ddywt36 [Image description: Illustration of a winter scene with people gathered around an outdoor christmas tree. Text reads "Coping at Christmas"]

We are hiring! ⭐ Bereavement Support and Outreach Coordinator for Black Communities (21 hours per week) 📅 Closing 5th Jan 2025 Learn more and apply ➡️ sands.org.uk/jobs We can offer you: 🏡 Remote working + allowance 🏖️ 29 days of annual leave (pro rata) + bank holidays 📝 Life insurance 😀 Flexible working