North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is joining the national commemoration of Baby Loss Awareness Week by holding two special remembrance services to honour babies lost during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after.
The specialist bereavement midwife at West Cumberland Hospital, Kerry Pape, said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is a really important time for many families. The annual campaign provides an opportunity to remember much-loved and missed babies. Baby Loss Awareness Week encourages us to openly recognise baby loss, and acknowledge its impact on so many families, we hope anyone affected can join us at the services.”
Two events will take place which offer a space for families, friends, and staff to come together in reflection and remembrance, and are open to anyone affected by baby loss.
These services are as follows:
- Thursday, October 9 at 6pm in the Cemetery Chapel on Dalston Road, Carlisle.
- Monday, November 17 at 7pm at St Peter’s Church, Kells, Whitehaven.
NCIC is also proud to share that the bereavement suite at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle – known as at the Snowdrop suite – has recently undergone refurbishment, made possible by the charity 4Louis.
This charity supports families through miscarriage, stillbirth, and childloss, and the revamped Snowdrop suite now provides a more comforting and private environment for families during the most difficult of times.
Emma Jackson, specialist bereavement midwife at The Cumberland Infirmary, said: “We hope our bereavement suite will provide a private, comfortable space away from the busy maternity ward. It offers a calm environment for families to spend precious time with their baby. We’re really grateful to 4Louis who provide such fantastic to support to families during the very worst of times.”
Emma Jackson
Every year, people are encouraged to join the ‘Wave of Light’ by lighting a candle to remember all babies who have died too soon, and this is an opportunity to join other families to pause, reflect and remember.
This year’s wave of light will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 15th October.
