Baby Loss Awareness Week honoured by hospitals 

University Hospitals Dorset will hold a series of events to commemorate Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) and support those who have experienced the loss of a baby.

At Royal Bournemouth Hospital, a remembrance service will take place at the Chapel of St Luke on Thursday 13 October at 7pm. Led by Reverend Duncan Ridgeon, with support from the hospital’s specialist nurses and local charity, ‘Our Angel Bears’, the service is an opportunity for bereaved parents, as well as their friends and families, to commemorate the lives of lost little ones. Those of all faiths or none are welcome to attend.

Rev Ridgeon said: “We have a dedicated team of employees working tirelessly across our chaplaincy, maternity, pathology and patient services in order to provide the very best support possible for mums who are referred to us owing to baby loss.

“We feel passionately about supporting Baby Loss Awareness Week and raising awareness about baby loss in the UK, so we will be offering a special remembrance service for those who want to mark the passing of their little one in a special way.”

SPRING is an organisation that supports parents and relatives through baby loss, and is a part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity. It will host a service at St Mary’s Church, Wimborne Road, Poole, on 15 October, from 6:30pm. Members of SPRING’s steering group will share poems, and bereaved families are invited to light candles in memory of all the babies who lit up their lives for a short yet special time.

“This year’s theme is ‘stepping stones’, reflecting how each person’s baby loss journey is unique” – Zoe Wood, member of SPRING.

“Here at SPRING, we understand and recognise that everybody’s baby loss journey is different, so please know that our support is available to bereaved parents and families living in Poole, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, and we are here to help with whatever is needed – be it advice, counselling support or simply someone to listen.

“This year once again sees St Mary’s Longfleet Church in Poole light up their building in pink and blue illuminations from 9 to 15 October from 7pm each evening to show its support for SPRING and the global ‘Wave of Light’ event on 15 October, which marks the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week.  

We would like to thank St Mary’s Church for their continued support of SPRING and the local baby loss community by highlighting this special week, and raising awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.

Now in its 20th year, this period of time is a valuable opportunity for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together to remember and honour our much-loved and missed babies.”

St Mary's Church in Poole, illuminated to honour Baby Loss Awareness Week