Sands volunteers Melissa Lindsay and Debs Crohn have launched Orkney Sands today, the latest local bereavement support group for anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss.
This means there are now 11 Sands bereavement support groups across Scotland, in a network of 91 across the UK as a whole.
“Orkney Sands will provide a compassionate space within our community, providing comfort, understanding and a healing space for individuals who are navigating the profound pain of pregnancy and baby loss. In my professional life, as a Bereavement Midwife working with families in Orkney, I understand how important it is to have a network of support when you leave hospital without your baby.
“Sands groups offer more than just a shoulder to lean on; they provide an opportunity for individuals to share their stories, memories, and dreams that will forever be connected to the pregnancy they lost. By sharing their experiences, parents find a sense of validation and understanding, easing the sense of isolation that can accompany such a devastating loss. It is wonderful to be able to provide this much needed support group for families in Orkney.”
- Melissa Lindsay, Orkney Sands volunteer
Orkney Sands will meet at the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall from 7pm until 8.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month and anyone is welcome to come along, there is no need to register or sign up for the meetings.
Debs Crohn lost her first daughter Lucy, 30 years ago and understands how important it is to be able to meet with other bereaved parents, families, and friends.
“Sands was a great source of support for me, being able to meet other people who’ve been through a similar experience. Knowing you’re not alone and have a safe space to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences is so important.”
- Debs Crohn, Orkney Sands volunteer
Pregnancy and baby loss affect the lives of over half of adults in the UK, but it can be a lonely, isolating experience. Sands works in local communities to support bereaved families and also puts their voices at the heart of efforts to save babies’ lives by driving improvements in maternity safety in Scotland and across the whole of the UK.
“For island communities where bereaved parents may be living some distance from the hospital where their baby or babies may have been born or treated, or where their baby may have to be for a post-mortem, having people in your local area who understand what you are going through can make a real difference to someone’s wellbeing.
“Sands’ local support groups are a vital part of the free range of bereavement support the charity offers, including our Freephone helpline, online community and Bereavement Support Book. It's so important that anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss knows they are not alone and that there is a supportive group of people around them, who understand.”
- Jen Coates, Sands’ Director of Bereavement Support and Volunteering