Date: 01-01-2019
The article called ‘I lost my baby – please ask me his name’ on the BBC website and the Channel 4 TV programme ‘Child of Mine’ is about those who have suffered the loss of their babies were both sad, moving and yet so inspirational it just made you want to do something useful to help!
The Southend University Hospital’s (SUH) Bereavement Midwife Amanda is wonderful in supporting our families, both at the hospital and afterwards – but, and it is a big but – it hasn’t been possible to provide long term support. The nearest group (to my knowledge) is SANDS at South Woodham Ferrers.
This is why I am starting a ‘coffee and chat’ group (for Southend and all surrounding areas) for families of babies Stillborn and Infant Loss (SAILs). The group will be supported by Amanda, some SUH midwives, those who have suffered this kind of loss and those who just wish to help. We will meet at St Augustine’s church hall, Thorpe Bay on the 3rd Friday of the month - beginning on Friday 18th January 2019 from 7pm to 9:30pm. The hall is up the road from St Augustine’s church and while it is a church hall it is a neutral space. There is parking around the hall; it is a safe place to walk, close to Thorpe Bay station and the 7 & 8 bus routes. If there is enough support then an afternoon group will be set up later in the year.
I also run The Safe Harbour Bereavement Group with a lovely bunch of helpers: Sandra, Maureen, Georgean and Sally. This group is for those who have lost a loved one and are finding life a bit of a struggle or just lonely for company, we meet at the hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 2pm - 4pm. We try to have a speaker and sometimes go out for a meal or coffee – why not come along!
To know more or offer your help for either group please call me on 07969 099396, email barbarablack29@gmail.com or see the website http://www.safeharbourbg.co.uk/
By Barbara Black
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