The Fort Regent dome has been illuminated in pink and blue to show Jersey’s support for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024.
The annual awareness week is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families and friends, to commemorate babies’ lives and break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss in the UK. Local baby loss and safer pregnancy charity Philip’s Footprints are a member of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, a group of 130 charities working together to raise awareness of baby loss but also improve pregnancy outcomes.
Jo Nash, Founder of Philip’s Footprints said: “We hope turning Fort Regent pink and blue will spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies and feel less isolated and alone in their grief.
“Whilst baby loss awareness week is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness, it is just that – one week. We hope those who know a bereaved parent will be mindful that, for them, it’s not just a week it’s every day.”
Pregnancy loss, no matter how early, or the death of a baby is a tragedy that affects many people every year. It can be devastating for parents and families and it’s vital they get the bereavement support and care they need, for as long as they need it and that includes through next pregnancies and beyond. To that end, in addition to their memory boxes Philip’s Footprints offer 1 to 1 support, a monthly support group, an annual candlelit remembrance service and can signpost to other services and charities.
Bereavement care training
Philip’s Footprints hosted UK stillbirth charity SANDS, who presented their ‘Pregnancy and Baby Loss Bereavement Care’ training days. The course included a bereaved parent’s perspective, and the charity were very grateful to the Jersey parents who bravely told their very personal stories of loss and answered questions.
Breaking bad news, compassionate communication, enabling informed choice and understanding grief were all covered. Aimed at professionals who engage with bereaved parents after a loss, 80 people attended from a variety of backgrounds over 4 days including midwives and nurses, community nurses, health visitors, peer supporters, funeral directors and Family Liaison officers. Being all from one community enhanced the learning experience, all offering different perspectives and experience and all with a wish to provide better bereavement care.
Chief of Police Robin Smith said: “14 officers and staff were privileged to participate in this specialised training. The knowledge and skills they have acquired will be instrumental in enabling our force to respond with the utmost care, compassion and understanding to families facing such profound loss.”
Starlight walk
250 walkers joined the annual Philip’s Footprints Starlight Walk this weekend, raising a record breaking £7,000.
From the Waterfront to St Aubin and back, walkers strolled over 10 km, some in memory of babies and children that had died and all helping to raise awareness during Baby Loss Awareness Week. Now in its 9th year, the event has raised over £27,000.
Global wave of light
Baby Loss Awareness Week culminates on Tuesday 15th October with the global ‘Wave of Light’. To participate, Philip’s Footprints invites you to simply light a candle at 7pm and leave it burning for at least 1 hour, joining families all around the world in remembering all babies that have died too soon. This can be done individually or in a group, at home or in a communal space. As it reaches 7pm in Jersey, you will be joining a global Wave of Light in memory of all the babies who lit up your lives for such a short time.
Main picture: The illuminated Fort Regent Dome. Credit: BAM Perspectives
