The Royal Oldham Hospital invites families to join them for Baby Loss Awareness Week memorial events

Gynaecology staff and bereavement midwives at The Royal Oldham Hospital will be supporting families to remember the babies taken too soon this Baby Loss Awareness Week, with a number of events and activities planned to help families pause, reflect and remember their angel babies in a safe and supportive environment.

Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 – 15 October) aims to raise awareness about the key issues affecting those who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss in the UK. Throughout the week bereaved parents, their families and friends, will unite with others across the world to commemorate the lives of babies who died during pregnancy, at or soon after birth and in infancy.

Susan Brierley, Bereavement Midwife at The Royal Oldham Hospital, said: “Losing a baby from stillbirth or neonatal death can be a difficult experience for many families and it’s still very much a sensitive subject within society. Baby Loss Awareness Week offers families the chance to come together and remember their babies in a sympathetic, supportive and understanding environment. Everyone is welcome to attend any of the organised events and take some time out to reflect on their loss.”

Oldham Council will be showing its support by lighting up the Civic Centre in Oldham Town Centre in pink and blue throughout the week, as will The Royal Oldham Hospital itself.

A number of events and activities have been planned to mark this important week including a petal shower and a wave of light. Key events during Baby Loss Awareness Week in Oldham include:

• Information Stands at The Royal Oldham Hospital - all day, every day throughout Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 - 15 October)

There will be an information stand available next to the clock near the main entrance of the hospital all week at Oldham for anyone who wishes to pop by and pick up some information on support services available.

• Petal Shower at Dexter's Garden - 12 October, 12noon

A petal shower has been arranged in Dexter's Garden for 12 noon on 12 October. Everyone is welcome and families are being asked to ensure that any materials scattered are biodegradable.

• Wave of Light at Dexter's Garden - 15 October, 6.45pm (for 7pm start) and North Manchester General Hospital at 7pm

We will be joining SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity) in their global Wave of Light. The Wave of Light is an opportunity for families and friends to commemorate all the babies who lit up our lives for a short time and sadly died too soon. The Wave of Light will take place in Dexter's Garden from 7pm. Families that are unable to attend an officially organised event can get involved by doing their own wave of light at home. More details about this are available on the SANDS website: www.sands.org.uk

At North Manchester General Hospital, the team will also be offering refreshments in the antenatal clinic from 5.30pm on the Wednesday 15 October, followed by the Wave of Light ceremony in the baby garden at 7pm. A gospel choir will be in attendance at the garden for this event.

Everyone is welcome to attend any of these events, so please show your support.

Please note that Dexter's Garden has been relocated from its original location. It is now located on the other side of the stone wall next to the Diabetes Centre on Westhulme Avenue.

For any enquiries about all Baby Loss Awareness Week activities, please contact one of the following contacts:

• Susan Brierley, Bereavement Midwife for Oldham and Rochdale on 07817 023096
• Veronica Spibey, Neonatal Bereavement Nurse on NICU at Oldham on Ext 78151
• Dawn Littler, Bereavement Midwife at NMGH and Bury on 07817 023547.

The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) offers support for families who have faced stillbirth or neonatal deaths. They can be contacted on 020 7436 5881 or online at:

• www.sands.org.uk