Two charities are reminding people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire affected by baby loss that they are not alone, with support always available.
They made the call to coincide with the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week in October 2021, where anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby can take time to reflect.
The time gives them a chance to come together as a community in a safe and supportive space to share their experiences .
Parents are being reminded that the charities’ doors are always open – no matter how much time has passed since their loss.
Reflection for each day of the week
Miss (Miscarriage Information Support Service) was set up by Abi Clarke after she had a miscarriage and was unsure where to find advice.
During the awareness week, the charity provided daily tips and pieces of advice, and also sent out care packages to people across the region.
Abi ClarkeAbi said the last 18 months have been “very challenging as a charity”, with the move from in-person support groups to virtual ones.
“It’s certainly losing that touch, that face-to-face contact,” she said.
“Having a Zoom call compared to an in-person meeting is very different – like body language, tone, how they’re speaking.
“You can say how you feel (and be) a lot more relaxed when you’re in person.”
People have felt more “isolated” because of the pandemic, having to go through their loss alone – but Miss aims to provide the support they weren’t able to get during lockdown.
For more information contact info@miss-support.org.uk.
‘Even if it’s been years, we’re here to support you’
Meanwhile Sandra Stephen, of Stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands in Aberdeen, said: “Obviously, not everybody wants support, but if they do – it’s not always immediately after they’ve lost their baby.
“Sometimes it can be quite a number of years down the line.
“At least they know that there’s somebody always there for them should they ever need to speak to anybody.”
Decorative tree to commemorate babies lost
During Baby Loss Awareness Week, the charity decorated a tree in Hazlehead Park with wooden hearts to honour the babies lost.
More than 120 were display, each adorned with ribbons and the children’s names.
More information can be found by visiting Aberdeen Sands’ website or emailing aberdeensands5@gmail.com.
Sandra said: “We also put up some pink and blue solar nights. So the tree is illuminated during the night.
“We’ll probably be leaving the hearts for the week, maybe slightly longer, just so people could get an opportunity to go up and actually see them.”
To find out more about Baby Loss Awareness Week visit the official website here.