Baby death is still a taboo subject, we want to change that.

We want to reach out to people beyond Sands and the parents and families we support to break the silence around baby loss in society.

As a Sands volunteer you are crucial in helping us achieve this, by simply signposting people to our new information on how to sensitively start a conversation about baby loss. 

Not everyone wants to talk about their baby however, and we’ve also updated our leaflet 5 ways you can help someone whose baby has died and this has other practical suggestions to offer support.

And of course, you can tell bereaved parents and families about our helpline: 0808 164 3332 or helpline@sands.org.uk, online community, in addition to the support your Sands Group provides.  

Talk about the campaign with everyone you know! Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to spread a message and if they want to know more all you need to say is: “Go to sands.org.uk/findingthewords or look for #FindingTheWords on social media.”

During June, please put the campaign poster up in your local library, church, pub, gym, café, corner shop, or wherever you think it will reach the most people.

We are printing a few copies of the poster for every Group but if you need more please download and print out the poster (this helps us keep our costs down).

If you have contacts with a local hospital please let them know about the campaign and the support, training, and resources Sands provides for healthcare professionals.

If you do nothing else please watch the campaign video and share it with family, friends, and colleagues in an email or on any social media channels that you use.

Throughout June please use #FindingTheWords in all your social media posts baby loss – this will help to build momentum and recognition.

Follow Sands on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and reshare our posts throughout June.

We have suggested social media posts that you can share at any point during June and social media banners here.

If you work for someone, please let your employer know about the campaign and that Sands has information for employers on helping a bereaved parent return to work.

You could also ask your employer if you can display the campaign poster in your workplace – perhaps in the staffroom or on a staff resources board. Or ask your employer if they’re aware of their policies and responsibilities if an employee was to experience a stillbirth or neonatal death. 

If you’re an employer or HR professional you can get in touch with Sands for advice or download our information for employers.

If you have local contacts with companies that support or have supported Sands please get in touch with them and let them know about the campaign. We can help with guidance on supporting employees, or find out about becoming one of our corporate partners. Ask them to send an email to findingthewords@sands.org.uk 

Your local politicians can be key local advocates for you in raising awareness of baby loss. Why not email them to ask them to share the campaign video and messages on their website and social media from 1 June? 

1. If you live in England you can find your MP and their contact details using your postcode here, or you can find MSPs in Scotland, Welsh AMs or Northern Irish MLAs at these links. Remember in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland you will have more than one local representative so do email them all.
   
    
2. Send them a simple email setting out who you are, what you are asking them to do and why. There’s a template example to download below. Make sure you include your name and address, so they know you’re a local constituent, and – if you are happy to – it’s always best to tell your personal story or the story of someone in your local Sands Group so that they understand more about the issue.
   
    
3. Tell us about it!  Please let us know if you email your local MP, MSP, MLA or AM, and if you receive a reply.  Send on any emails to caroline.stickland@sands.org.uk

• Useful emails and numbers:

Throughout this pack we’ve talked about encouraging people to contact Sands. Here are the key contacts you need:

• If you are part of a Sands Group and have any questions about the campaign please speak to your Network Coordinator in the first instance.
  
   
• Anyone with questions about donating to Sands should be directed to our fundraising Q&As
  
   
• Anyone with any questions about fundraising in aid of Sands that you can’t answer can be directed to fundraising@sands.org.uk
  
   
• Anyone who needs bereavement support can contact the free Sands helpline on 0808 164 3332, email helpline@sands.org.uk, find support through the Sands online community, or of course, be referred to their local Sands support group.
  
   
• Finally, if you aren’t sure where to direct a query about the campaign you can use the dedicated email findingthewords@sands.org.uk