Baby Loss Awareness Week unites bereaved families across the UK
People affected by pregnancy and baby loss will be joining together to take part in a range of activities to remember and talk about their babies this Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Article Source: Baby Loss Awareness Week
Last Updated: 3 October 2024 12:45
Image Credit: Sands - Hilary Grierson
People affected by pregnancy and baby loss will be joining together in communities across the UK, in person and online, to take part in a range of activities to remember and talk about their babies this Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October), helping to break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss that sadly still exists for many.
Half of UK adults have said that they, or someone they know, had experienced at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss.1 So it’s vital that everyone knows that they are not alone and that there is a community that understands and is here for them, whatever they need – be it guidance, shared stories or simply a listening ear to help and offer comfort.
Throughout the week people will be hosting ribbon displays, knitting post box toppers, painting pebbles with their babies’ names, lighting up their homes, businesses and high streets, painting their nails, dyeing their hair, or dressing up in Pink and Blue – the colours of Baby Loss Awareness Week. All the activities are designed to open up conversations about pregnancy and baby loss in local neighbourhoods, workplaces and community spaces.
The week will draw to a close at 7pm on 15 October when candles for all our babies gone too soon are left burning for one hour during the global Wave of Light, with many joining together online, creating a trending moment of connection and collective remembrance across the UK.
The theme for Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) 2024 is ‘Together, we care’ and acknowledges that finding ways to nurture your mental and physical wellbeing is a vital part of anyone’s bereavement journey.
Chief Executive of Sands, and Chair of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, Clea Harmer said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week helps to unite the pregnancy and baby loss community; we come together and speak out across the week to increase understanding of the impact of loss, and remember all babies.
“Few experiences can compare to the trauma and pain of pregnancy and baby loss. During this Baby Loss Awareness Week, we will acknowledge that finding ways to nurture your mental and physical wellbeing is a vital part of anyone’s bereavement journey.
“Together, we care for ourselves and each other as part of a community of people affected by all forms of pregnancy and baby loss. Self-care is essential, so you can sustain yourself and be able to raise awareness in a way that’s right for you.”
An initiative started by a group of parents 22 years ago, Baby Loss Awareness Week has now evolved into an Alliance of over 130 dedicated pregnancy and baby loss organisations led by Sands, Tommy’s, Bliss, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, The Lullaby Trust, and The Miscarriage Association. It also plays a crucial role in raising awareness of the importance of ongoing bereavement support and the essential work required to improve pregnancy outcomes and save babies’ lives.
This Baby Loss Awareness Week, the Alliance will be encouraging people to ask their local MPs to give their support to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, which brings together MPs and Peers from across parties. Its aims are to develop policy that supports families dealing with the grief of baby loss, and to prevent it happening in the first place. It aims to raise awareness of what more can be done by the government, Parliament or other agencies to help those affected, and reduce the risk of baby loss.
Clea Harmer said: “The growth of Baby Loss Awareness Week is incredible. Every year we see more friends, family, colleagues and businesses join in with activities in allyship with those directly impacted by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. We want everyone to ‘share with care’ and this year we’re encouraging those brilliant businesses, organisations, landmarks and buildings that light up, or turn pink and blue, during Baby Loss Awareness Week, to join us in explaining why they are doing so and signpost help and advice. On behalf of the Alliance, I say a huge thank you to everyone helping us to have those important conversations about loss in compassionate ways.”
Advice on looking after yourself or others after pregnancy or baby loss
Whether you're someone who has experienced loss, a family member, friend or healthcare professional, we want you to know this Alliance stands together with you. Here are our tips for managing the week:
• Pick and choose how you want to support. Don’t feel you have to do everything
• Plan some activities that are special to you that week
• Make space for self-care during the week. We will be talking a lot about this during the week
• Turn off notifications and online check social media when you feel up for it
• Reach out for support if you need it. We are here.
• Let friends and family know your boundaries, so they understand it’s okay if you don’t engage
• Engage with content that brings you comfort or joy. Remember, choosing not to participate does not take away from your experience. Your healing and well-being come first.
The Miscarriage Association has also published a blog post about ‘Taking care of yourself this Baby Loss Awareness Week’.
Stories of pregnancy and baby loss
There are many stories of pregnancy and baby loss on the Baby Loss Awareness Week website and anyone who wishes to can share theirs by completing an online form.
Maria was 18-years-old when she had to give birth to her first daughter Laura in 1988, despite knowing that her daughter had died in the womb. Now, she helps other bereaved parents and families cope with their losses as a Sands volunteer Befriender. Maria has also been creating a ribbon display in Clacton on Sea since 2019 to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. Maria said: “It’s a lovely way to remember. It gets people talking and once you see it you can’t just walk past it. Some people add balloons and all sorts of things, and teddies that local companies have sponsored. It gives them a sense of closeness to their baby by adding a ribbon to the display. Families have somewhere to go, and just to visit it and see it is beautiful.”
Rachel had little understanding of an ectopic pregnancy until she found herself being given the devasting news. Rachel said: “I had heard the words ectopic pregnancy a few times but never truly understood the meaning until I was having ‘the chat’ with the nurse about what they suspected I was going through. I was handed leaflets from The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and sat reading stories of other people, trying to make sense of the situation. I’m grateful that I had a place to turn but I think it’s still so sad how much of a taboo subject pregnancy loss is.”
Many of the charities that support Baby Loss Awareness Week will be sharing stories of people who have experienced bereavement and found ways to cope with their loss and build a life around their grief. Follow #BLAW to find these stories on social media.
Baby Loss Awareness Week activities across the UK
Throughout the Week, landmarks and buildings across the UK will be lit up pink and blue – the colours of Baby Loss Awareness Week - and people will be holding remembrance events and creating ribbon displays in their hometowns to help raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss, remember much-loved babies and open up conversations around this issue.
The Baby Loss Awareness Week website lists a wide range of organisations that provide support booklets and resources, signposting to different types of support, as well as resources for health professionals working with and supporting bereaved families.
Baby Loss Awareness Week will culminate in a global Wave of Light at 7pm on 15 October. This is a special time when everyone is invited, wherever they are in the world, to light a candle at 7pm local time as a special mark of support and remembrance for all babies that have died, and pregnancies lost. Anyone can join a digital Wave of Light from 7pm on 15 October by posting a photo of their candle to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #WaveOfLight.
For more information visit: babyloss-awareness.org and follow #BLAW on social media.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Glasgow in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
GlasGLOW adds extra week after 35,000 tickets snapped up in days
City's biggest Halloween show extended as nostalgia-fuelled 'Miles Better' theme takes Glasgow by storm, with new dates on sale on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30am!
READ MORE
Wedding venue Crossbasket Castle unveils exquisite new menu curated by Michelin starred chef Michel Roux
Scotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate joins full cast of Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal
The full cast has been announced for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile which comes to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical comes to Glasgow for the first time
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, will come to Glasgow for the very first time in 2026!
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
A jewellery store in Glasgow Fort is doubling in size following investment
Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer, Beaverbrooks, is doubling the size of its Glasgow Fort store with a £1.3m investment.
READ MORE
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Glasgow...
This festive season at SWG3, Bongo's Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time where coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Popular Sunday BBQ returns to Glasgow favourite Sebbs
One of Glasgow's favourites is flipping the idea of a traditional roast on its head with the return of its Sunday BBQ later this month.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
SOAPYFEST raises thousands for Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
The Barrowland Ballroom was filled with love, laughter, and music as friends, family and supporters came together for SOAPYFEST, raising over £18K in support of Beatson Cancer Charity and Marie Curie
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Topgolf Glasgow launches new field goal challenge game this autumn
Topgolf Glasgow is bringing a taste of the gridiron to Scotland this autumn with the launch of its brand-new Field Goal Challenge game.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW sells over 20,000 tickets in first hour as fans rush to relive 80s magic
GlasGLOW fever has gripped Glasgow once again, with more than 20,000 tickets for this year's GlasGLOW's Miles Better show snapped up within just 60 minutes of being released.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Even more acts added to Tenement Trail 2025, set to take over the East End on Saturday 11th October
Multi-venue music festival taking over Glasgow's East End this October confirms Dead Pony and 14 new acts!
READ MORE
2025 Aye Write programme announced as tickets go on sale for annual book festival
Tickets will go on sale for Aye Write, Glasgow's long-established and much-loved book festival, at 11am today.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Birds Fried Chicken launches collaboration series with Corner Shop
Birds Fried Chicken is taking its signature Southern-style fried chicken out of its natural Shawlands habitat and into new, unexpected settings with the launch of Rare Birds!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries champions Zero Waste Week with retailer initiatives for conscious consumers
Buchanan Galleries is marking Zero Waste Week (1 – 5 September 2025) by showcasing the centre's wide range of sustainable retail initiatives!
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Pop up play town brings big imaginations to little ones
A new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORE
Local musicians to perform at outdoor charity concert at Nostrana restaurant
Summer may be over, but music festival season is still here, with an exciting outdoor concert in aid of Mary's Meals taking place in Glasgow's West End on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Double the thrills this Halloween at Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Science Centre is inviting budding detectives down to the Clyde-side this October to help them solve the murder of the millennia – with a science twist.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links