NGH supports Baby Loss Awareness Week

The maternity unit is lighting up in support of Baby Loss Awareness Week

The front of the maternity unit at Northampton General Hospital will be turning pink and blue in support of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019.

The building along with the maternity unit at Kettering General Hospital, the Northampton Lift Tower, Weston Favell Shopping Centre, St Michael and All Angels church will be illuminated with pink and blue lights from 9^th-15^th October to show Northamptonshire’s support for Baby Loss Awareness Week.   

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.

Rachael Moss, bereavement midwife at Northampton General Hospital, said: “We hope that lighting up some buildings across the county in pink and blue, hosting some events with bereaved parents, offering some local church services and reflection time in our Hospital chapels, will all spark conversations about baby loss and the support that is on offer.  I hope it will also give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies.”

There will be information displays at Northampton General Hospital and the hospital chapel will be decorated with flowers, provided by Tesco Mereway. NGH will also join the wave of light event on the evening of Tuesday 15^th October at around 18.00-19.30.

All Saints Church will be decorated by flowers that have been donated by Van Vliet, florist wholesaler, Northampton, and arranged by Tim Lloyd from the NHS Better Births team.  

On Friday 11^th October, at Tesco Mereway, Members of the Sands Charity will have an information stand promoting the work they do in collaboration with the Bereavement services, at both NGH and KGH and ribbon badges will be available throughout the week at various events.

All of the buildings and landmarks turning pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019 will can be featured in the ‘BLAW’ Facebook album. Anyone in Northamptonshire can share their photos of the buildings they see lit up on social media with the hash tag:- #BLAW2019.

Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is a unique opportunity for parents to commemorate their babies who died.  I hope bereaved families across Northamptonshire will feel less isolated and alone in their grief when they see buildings lit up and people supporting the event.

“Pregnancy loss or the death of a baby is a tragedy that affects thousands of people every year. It is 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.”

For further information about Baby Loss Awareness Week please visit:

www.babyloss-awareness.org