Since 1978 we have supported many thousands of families whose babies have died, offering emotional support, comfort and information. Today Sands operates throughout the UK and focuses on three main areas of work:
We support anyone affected by the death of a baby
• Bereavement support is at the core of everything we do. Some of the services that we offer include:
• Helpline for parents, families, carers and health professionals
• UK-wide network of support groups run by trained befrienders
• Online forum and message boards enabling bereaved families to connect with others
• Website and a wide range of booklets, books and other resources. We work in partnership with health professionals to try to ensure that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care.
We offer resources and a comprehensive programme of training, workshops and talks for health professionals that give practical guidance on how to meet parents’ needs and provide good bereavement care.
We promote and fund research that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives. The UK has one of the highest rates of perinatal death in the developed world. The shocking reality is that, in spite of medical advances, 13 babies are stillborn or die under one month old every day. We raise vital funds for research and campaign for the government to address this situation as a matter of priority.