Publish date: 10 October 2023
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023
Baby Loss Awareness week runs from 9 - 15 October each year and culminates with the global Wave of Light.
Teardrop are honoured to be holding this much-loved
We are a charity at Northumbria Healthcare that supports bereaved families who have sadly suffered the loss of a baby, loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination of pregnancy due to fetal abnormality. The charity began in 1992 and was set up by bereaved parents who worked within Ashington General Hospital. The aim was to provide better care in supporting anyone who was facing this new path of grief.
We want families and staff affected by baby loss to know that they are not alone, we are here throughout the journey, whenever you are ready. Reach out to one of our support groups, or call or text our befriender phone on 07531 206784, there is always someone who will listen.
Teardrop has amazing befrienders, who run support groups across Northumberland and North Tyneside, and they themselves have all suffered the loss of their own babies, so they understand the pain, the grief and what bereaved parents are going through. Our volunteers have lost little ones at all gestations and are able to support and have knowledge of loss at every stage of pregnancy and beyond.
Not only do we provide support groups, but round-the-clock telephone and online support. We have a dedicated phone where families can speak to a befriender, if they don’t feel comfortable in attending a support group. We also have an online community of families which Teardrop has supported over the years and many families feel comfort in talking to others online.
If a family are delivering their baby at the Birthing Centre at NSECH in Cramlington, they will possibly be directed to the Willow Room or Elmwood Room, which is a room with a less clinical feel where they can spend precious time with their little one in surroundings that Teardrop has furnished to make a more homely feel.
At NSECH, we have also funded the beautiful memorial tree, our Teardrop Tree which is situated in the chapel. Every family that comes through the hospital will have the opportunity to have their little one’s name engraved onto a beautiful leaf and visit the tree whenever possible.
Teardrop also work alongside the chaplaincy team at Cramlington and families have the opportunity to have their little ones name put into the memorial book, this is something families find extremely comforting.
We understand that baby loss is a lifetime journey, and we support families who have only recently lost their little one, but we also have families which we support where their loss was many years ago.
If you feel you would like support from Teardrop, please email Marie.
Team Teardrop