‘There is no footprint too small that it does not leave an impact on this world’
It is a sad fact that not every baby on the unit makes it home and on Sunday 1st December (2.30pm) a memorial service will take place at St James Reform Church to remember babies that have sadly passed away at the RVI. This annual service is organised by Women’s Services at Newcastle-upon-Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, and Tiny Lives is proud to support this important occasion.
Whether parents are on the ward, or they are at home, Tiny Lives organises and funds bereavement support to help families through and honour the memory of their baby. Including:
Sibling Support Groups
Siblings Support Group is an informal, supportive group where families who have spent time on Ward 35 with their baby or babies who have sadly died can meet. The group is facilitated by staff from the Neonatal Unit and provides memory making activities for siblings helping them to remember and honour their lost sibling. The group is supported by Tiny Lives and a light lunch is provided. We welcome children of all ages to take part, no matter how long ago their sibling(s) was on the unit.
If you are looking for a parent only support group, please email info@tinylives.org.uk, where we can provide you with information of where these groups are available.
Counselling
The counselling is being offered in partnership with the North East Counselling Service (NECS), and parents can take part in 6 free sessions of individual or couples counselling. The service is self-referred, meaning that the parent does not need a medical referral to benefit from this additional support. Counselling can take place in person at NECS offices or virtually – whatever best suits you.
On Unit Bereavement Fund
We operate a dedicated fund for the Neonatal Unit Bereavement Team, which can be used for a variety of items to help support parents through the bereavement process, and to help honour the baby’s passing with the utmost respect. These include baby bath products and hooded towels so that parents can have the experience of giving their child a bath, material which is then crafted into burial gowns suitable for smaller babies, and more.
Heart in their Hands Keyrings
These keyrings are a precious keepsake for bereaved parents. They come in two parts, a removable heart charm and a circular keyring. The heart is kept with the baby after they have sadly passed, and the keyring is kept by the parent, symbolising that their little one will always have a piece of their heart. We also supply a twin version of the keepsake, with two removeable charms.
Memory Boxes
When you’ve lost a baby, there’s nothing more precious than the memories you have with them. We help to fund memory boxes for the Neonatal Unit, which are filled with items such as their baby’s admission bracelet, their Miniboo, neonatal dummy and sometimes clothing or a lock of hair – anything that will help parents to remember their little one.
Digital Cameras and Photos
We supply the Ward 35 Bereavement Team with high-quality digital cameras, complete with memory cards and accessories, in order to let parents take priceless photos in the time they have with their little one. We also pay for these pictures to be confidentially processed and delivered to parents as soon as possible.
Books for Bereaved Siblings
When a family loses a baby, it can often be a huge and emotional challenge to explain this loss to a sibling, especially if they’re younger. To help with this we fund a special book for siblings that parents can use to help support them through this difficult conversation.
If you or a loved one needs support, we are here for you. Please info@tinylives.org.uk, where we can provide you with the best information for you.
Our online tribute page remembers the babies that are no longer with us. If you would like to submit a tribute, you can do so here: https://thetinylivestrust.beaconforms.com/form/ecac7852
