Did you know that not every baby who we support on the unit is born too soon? In reality, many full-term babies also need specialist care on Ward 35, and Tiny Lives is here for every family whose newborn begins life with unexpected health challenges.
With Full Term February just around the corner, we wanted to shine a light on the thousands of families every year who face the shock of their baby needing medical support after birth. While premature birth is one of the most recognised reasons for neonatal care, many full-term babies also begin life facing serious health challenges and spend time being cared for on the unit. Whether that’s respiratory problems, infections, complications at birth or other conditions that mean they need specialist hospital support, these families experience the same fear, confusion and emotional rollercoaster as those with premature babies, and we’re here to support those families through each individual journey.
Full Term February is an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of babies born at full term who still need critical care, and to support the families who love them. We build our support around families’ real experiences, champion practical help on the neonatal unit and beyond and work closely with NHS teams to ensure families feel seen, supported and understood every step of the way. From the moment a baby arrives on Ward 35 and throughout their neonatal journey, our team offers emotional support, resources and comfort to make life just a little bit easier.
Our family-centred approach includes funded specialist staff roles such as a clinical psychologist, who help parents navigate emotional resilience and we also fund resources like Parent Packs and Sibling Packs to help the whole family feel supported during a time that can be isolating and stressful.
This Full Term February, we invite everyone, supporters, healthcare partners and local communities, to recognise that every newborn journey matters. Whenever a baby is born, the resilience and courage shown by families is the same.
World Breastpumping Day is taking place on 27 January 2026 and at Tiny Lives we are joining families, clinicians and organisations across the UK in recognising and celebrating the many different journeys people take with feeding. Today also offers space for a conversation that is still too often quiet, how to support parents through lactation after loss.
When a pregnancy ends in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, Mam may still produce breast milk and for parents already coping with profound grief, the arrival of milk can feel emotionally overwhelming and physically uncomfortable. .
At Tiny Lives, we are here to support parents what ever the outcome of their neonatal stay and in 2024 we funded the pioneering Lactation After Loss e-learning project, designed to help NHS staff across the UK understand the physiology of lactation after baby loss, offer sensitive guidance, and provide families with choices that reflect their wishes. The course was developed with bereaved parents, neonatal teams, lactation specialists and leading baby-loss charities to make sure families receive care that is gentle, evidence-based and person-centred.
Parents experiencing lactation after loss commonly have questions such as:
How long will lactation last?
How can I manage engorgement or pain safely?
Is it possible (and is it okay) to express or donate milk?
Who can support me with the emotional side of this?
These are difficult questions, but they deserve clear, compassionate answers. For some families, the priority is safely reducing milk supply through gradual techniques, ice packs, simple breast care and guidance from a midwife or GP. Others choose to express for a short time, finding it helps them process emotions or regain a sense of agency. Some families decide to donate milk to human milk banks, a meaningful and deeply personal choice that supports premature and sick babies across the UK.
What matters most is that families feel in control, heard and supported without judgement.
At Tiny Lives we believe that talking openly about lactation after loss helps reduce stigma, empowers families and improves care. Grief is complex, and the arrival of breast milk can add another layer that parents shouldn’t have to navigate alone.
On World Breastpumping Day, we want every bereaved parent to know that your feelings are valid, your choices matter, and support is available.
If you wish to learn more about our work, please visit tinylives.org.uk, email info@tinylives.org.uk.
Every year, Tiny Lives supports more than 800 premature and sick newborn babies and their families from the Newcastle Neonatal Service alone, offering practical and emotional help during one of life’s most vulnerable moments.
Transitional Care is one of the areas within the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Neonatal Unit we support, which is designed for babies who need a bit more nursing attention and monitoring than the standard care given on the maternity ward. It enables babies to stay with their mothers instead of being transferred to the Neonatal Unit, while still benefiting from the expertise of the neonatal team. Transitional Care also supports some babies who no longer require care on the neonatal unit but are not ready to be discharged home yet. This phase bridges the gap between highly monitored neonatal care and life at home and it’s a time when babies still need extra support and observation This crucial step not only supports the baby’s physical development but also helps parents build confidence and strengthen emotional bonds.
To make this experience as positive and supportive as possible, Tiny Lives funds valuable resources for families on the Transitional Care ward including an Introduction to Transitional Care Leaflet to make families feel as comfortable as possible as they move into the next step of their journey and Milestone Cards, to celebrate the moments that matter.
For many families, Transitional Care is a period of uncertainty and adjustment. Although healthcare professionals are there to support them, the journey can be overwhelming, especially when parents are trying to understand complex care pathways while caring for a new addition to the family.
What are we funding?
Introduction to Transitional Care Leaflet – This concise, easy-to-understand guide outlines the key parts of Transitional Care. It helps families know what to expect, understand how care is structured, and feel more confident in their role during this important stage.
Milestone Cards – These beautifully designed cards support memory-making and help families actively engage with their baby’s progress. Each card highlights meaningful achievements, from feeding milestones to bonding moments, allowing parents to celebrate the small but powerful steps their baby makes. These cards are designed specifically to celebrate the achievements babies make on Transitional Care rather than mainstream milestones
These resources will give families clarity, reassurance, and the chance to record precious memories during their stay, making a challenging time a little brighter and more hopeful.
More than clinical support
Transitional Care isn’t just about clinical support, it’s about family-centred care. By equipping families with accessible information and tools to mark progress, they can feel more in control and connected to their baby’s care. Through these materials, parents are better informed, feel more confident, and can actively participate in their baby’s development.
Supporting Emotional Connection
Having a premature or sick baby is an emotional journey filled with highs and lows. Milestone cards give families a meaningful way to acknowledge growth, from what may seem to some a tiny win but is a big achievement that should be celebrated, supporting positive wellbeing during and beyond their stay.
Improving Service Provision
Feedback and engagement from families using these resources will inform ongoing service development. By better understanding what families need and value most, the neonatal team can continue to adapt and improve Transitional Care provision, ensuring future services remain responsive and family-centred.
We want to ensure that Transitional Care is not just a clinical pathway, but a nurturing and empowering experience for every family that we support. To speak to the team about supporting premature and poorly babies in the North East email info@tinylives.org.uk or call 0191 230 2112.
Ready to use your creativity and expertise to make a real difference to neonatal babies and their families? Join Tiny Lives as our next Marketing & Communications Officer.
The Marketing & Communications Officer will create and deliver compelling, multi-channel content and campaigns and communications that inspire action, raise awareness, and strengthen engagement across Tiny Lives’ stakeholders, from parents and fundraisers to healthcare professionals and policy makers. You will manage day-to-day communications activity, measure performance, contribute to strategic goals and help to create sustainable income growth.
This is a full time role (35hrs per week) , with a permanent contract, subject to a 6-month probationary period.
To find out more, please download the application pack and complete the online application form to apply.
If this sounds like you, we’d really like to hear from you!
We need YOU to run, walk, cycle, skate, hula-hoop (however you would like) 35 miles in January to support Tiny Lives and Ward 35!
We’re in the same boat as you. We’re looking forward to kickstarting the new year by getting fit and our 35 for 35 challenge is here to save the day!
Covering 35 miles throughout the month of January is a realistic and attainable goal that will help you kickstart your 2026 the right way all whilst raising funds for Tiny Lives!
By encouraging your friends and family to sponsor your challenge, you’ll be raising vital funds for premature, sick newborn babies and neonatal families. You could event get the kids involved and make it a family activity!
Fancy the challenge?
Step 1 – Create a fundraising page. we recommend JustGiving. Simply click ‘Fundraise for Us’ to get started.
Step 2 – Spread the word. Share the news of your amazing commitment on social media, with friends and colleagues, with everyone! The more people who get access to your fundraising page, the more donations you may get. Click here to download an instagram story to share with your friends!
Step 3 – Get moving! Whether you prefer to move indoors or outdoors, little and often, or long-distance, as long as you manage the 35 miles before 31st Jan, you’ll have completed something incredible! A tracking app such as Strava can be useful for keeping track of how far you’ve gone (and it integrates with Just Giving too!) You can also track your distance using your Fitbit or Apple watch!
We’ll be behind you all of the way, so if you need anything during your challenge just email us – we’d love to see some pics too if you do choose to take part!
Your support will make a huge difference to our neonatal families. You can find out about what we fund here to help you motivate yourself to move!
We’re very excited that Santa himself has agreed to write and post personalised letters to our Tiny Lives supporters again this year.
These letters are a perfect way for ALL families to help support premature and sick babies and families on the RVI Neonatal Unit. You don’t have to have spent time on the Unit to order some, they’re available to everyone! Each letter is personalised for each child based on information you provide for us, making it such a special letter for your little one.
We suggest a £5 or £10 donation per letter (you can choose at the checkout), which includes postage costs – although anything you can give will be very much appreciated.
The funds raised from the sale of these letters will go a long way to supporting families across the North East and Cumbria through this festive period and beyond.
Santa Letters have now CLOSED. Thank you to everyone who purchased a letter this year!
We are thrilled to announce the return of our Christmas Reunion! This year, the date for our 2025 Christmas Reunion is Sunday 23rd November, 10:30 – 14:00 at St. James Park, Newcastle.
This event is specially designed for families that spent time on the RVI’s Neonatal Unit! It’s a chance to come together and enjoy an event full of Christmas cheer and catch up with some old faces as well as meet some new ones!
There will be games, food and entertainment and we’ve also heard a rumour that Santa Claus himself might make an appearance…
This event is recommended for children aged 8 and below and tickets cost £10 (suggested donation) for a family (max. 2 adults per family group).
World Prematurity Day is taking place on November 17th, 2025 and this year we are inviting schools, clubs, and community groups to participate in a special challenge…
World Prematurity Day brings global attention to the significant impact of premature birth, which affects 1 in 10 babies worldwide. In celebration and support of those born prematurely and their families, Tiny Lives is launched an exciting new initiative – ‘Take on 10 for Prem!’
‘Take on 10 for Prem’ is an easy, ten-minute online workout designed to get children and their friends active while raising awareness and educating young minds on the challenges and stories of premature birth while raising vital funds for Tiny Lives.
As well as being loads of fun, ‘Take on 10 for Prem’ is also an important way to teach children about important health issues while encouraging physical activity and team work – all key parts of children’s learning and development. Registration now is open for schools and groups here and we’ve even created a downloadable toolkit so you can spread the word to family and friends about why you’re taking part in the challenge.
Rachel Hardwick, Fundraising and Engagement Manager said, “Here at Tiny Lives we want all premature and sick newborn babies and their families living in the North East & North Cumbria to have the best possible chance to thrive, and if your school or group ‘Take on 10 for Prem’ you can help us do this. We would be thrilled to have you and your friends and family on board, making a difference and celebrating the strength and resilience of those born prematurely. As well as raising vital funds for the neonatal community from the North East and North Cumbria.
“Individuals and groups are invited to join in the online workout at a time that suits them in the lead up to World Prematurity Day and every group that takes part will receive a certificate to celebrate their achievement, and every individual will get a sticker to take home to show they took part in the event.
We would be thrilled to have you on board, making a difference and celebrating the strength and resilience of those born prematurely. As well as raising vital funds for the neonatal community from the North East and North Cumbria.”
To find out more about ‘Take on 10 for Prem’ and receive your downloadable fundraising tool kit please get in touch with Louise at louise@tinylives.org.uk or call 0191 230 2112. Or you can sign up here.
In 2024, Adam and his partner Tyler were preparing to welcome their second child, a baby boy due in early December. But baby Archie had other plans.
On September 18th, more than 11+ weeks before his due date, Tyler was rushed into an emergency C-section. Adam, 300 miles away with work, got the terrifying call that Archie was arriving far too soon.
Born at just 3lbs 7oz, Archie was in significant distress, and the first 72 hours were some of the most frightening Adam and Tyler have ever experienced. There were moments they weren’t sure if their little boy would pull through.
“At times, we weren’t sure whether the little man would make it but, thanks to the incredible work of the men and women in the RVI, he stabilised.” Adam said.
What followed was a 10-week stay on the neonatal unit. This was a time filled with uncertainty, daily hospital visits, balancing full-time work, and making sure their daughter Molly was cared for and supported through the whirlwind of emotions that come with having a sibling in intensive care.
Throughout it all, Tiny Lives was there.
“They were there to provide practical and emotional support for Tyler and I, help financially with onsite parking passes, refreshments for Tyler so she didn’t have to leave Archie for long and provided a support pack for Molly to help her feel included during the process. These are just a few examples of how they helped us during our time on the ward.” Adam shares. “But there are so many more stories of how they’ve supported families like ours.”
“I could not be more honoured to run for Tiny Lives this year and feel this is only a small gesture of giving something back to a group of people that helped us through the toughest time as a family and ultimately come home as a four.”
Leaving a gift in your will is a way to show your support to Tiny Lives that doesn’t impact you financially here and now. We understand how personal writing a will is and we’re grateful for you for exploring this further. Here, we explore what leaving a legacy means and the impact you leave behind.
What is a legacy? A legacy is a gift of money or other personal property that’s granted to someone or a charity in the terms of a will.
Why should I make a will? Making a will is a way to celebrate the people and things that are most important to you including a cause or an interest. – It can help to give you peace of mind. – You can name guardians for your children. – It can help with inheritance tax.
What types of gifts can I leave in my will? There are two main gifts you can leave in your will. One is apercentage or share of what is left of your estate once all other payments and gifts have been made to your loved ones called a residuary gift. The other is a fixed sum of money called a pecuniary gift.
Do I need to use a solicitor to write or amend my will? This is your decision. You may choose to consult a solicitor to draft your will but it isn’t a necessity. We would recommend you ensure your will is reviewed by an expert legal advisor.
Our Legacy Promises If you are considering leaving a gift to Tiny Lives in your will, we would like to make these promises to you; – We completely understand that your loved ones are your priority and come first in your will. – We will use your gift wisely, ensuring it makes a real difference to those we support. – We understand that wills are personal, private choices and we will not ask the size or type of gift you intend to give us. Any details you do give us will be held in the strictest of confidence.
If you’d like to discuss leaving a legacy with a member of the Tiny Lives team, please contact Rachel at rachel@tinylives.org.uk or give us a call at 0191 230 2112.
