“In those vital moments, her compassion and dignified judgement guided us through meeting our baby as he was born - a moment we are now forever grateful for.” Millie Ashton, bereaved parent 

Alfrida was nominated by Millie for the care that she provided to her and her partner following the loss of their baby, who they named Mabry Alfie.  

“She went to the effort of finding a beautiful knitted one piece (as the clothes we had picked were far too big) and surrounded him by things we wanted him to take with him. We have photos we will forever treasure. She was able to take the worst 24 hours of our lives and turn it into something we can remember as graceful, calm, and in some ways beautiful. We named our baby Mabry Alfie. Alfie will forever be with us in association with Mabry - she made the unbearable possible.’ 

Millie describes the sensitivity and compassion of Alfie’s communication, and how valid she made her feel.  

Lauren Tarbin-Vitler and her wife put forward Anne Durrell for the award, for the care she provided them on the death of their daughter, Meila, in March 2024. 

They described how traumatic and heartbreaking the loss was, and the huge difficulties they faced following her death as an LGBTQ+ family, and through the post-mortem process.   

"Anne from the moment she met us, acknowledged that we were both Meila’s mummies… She made us feel safe to say how we were feeling with her always validating and acknowledging what we were saying. Anne has been amazing since the first day we met her. Whilst in hospital she supported us to spend time with our daughter, helped by contacting funeral directors, supported us in being able to bring Meila home and organised counselling and remembrance photography. I know Anne is extremely stretched with her being the only bereavement midwife for this hospital but she has never made us feel like she did not have time for us. She deserves to be recognised and acknowledged for all her hard work.  

- Lauren Tarbin, Meila’s mum 

Lauren described how Anne educated other staff members about caring for an LGBTQ+ family, and also “held the first baby loss awareness event at the hospital.” 

“She spent hours of her own time creating ribbon pin badges for baby loss. She brought loads of wooden stars for families to write messages on to their babies which were then hung up on a tree in the hospital. She created a wonderful space for families to come together and celebrate and remember their babies.” 

Anne also supported the couple after their loss, taking the time to talk to them about next steps with their fertility treatment to try again, and is "always a phone call away", going "above and beyond".  

“I will never forget the moment Claire walked into the room she knelt by my side held my hand and said everything was going to be ok.” 

- Elisa Matthews, bereaved parent 

Elisa Matthews and her partner sadly lost their baby girl, Lily, at 15+6 weeks. They were hundreds of miles away from home, and were so worried about the decisions they had to make after Lily passed.  

“We honestly felt like she was our guardian angel sent to guide us through the most horrific time. She still phones me once or twice a week to give me the chance to talk… She brought Lily in to us and I remember her talking to her like you would a normal baby and that brought comfort in itself and made me feel safe. 

"We went through the worst time of our lives 250 miles away from home and Claire made the experience so much calmer and comforting than it ever could have been. She has been supporting us from the moment our worlds fell apart, and we know this journey would have been so much harder without her. I know she always thinks about Lily and will help us to keep her memory alive” 

- Elisa Matthews, bereaved parent

“Charlotte always showed and continues to show empathy and compassion, and this means a lot in this unfathomable and heartbreaking time.” 

- Helen Price, bereaved parent 

Helen nominated Charlotte Mutton, for the care received when her and her partner lost their baby. 

In her nomination, Helen mentioned that Charlotte ‘always listened’ without judgement and made the specialist suite a safe space where they could ask any questions.  

“Charlotte always refers to our baby in the most respectful and courteous manner, which means a lot.” 

- Helen Price, bereaved parent 

Charlotte was also nominated by multiple other bereaved parents and families for her outstanding care and dedication.  

“Charlotte introduced herself to us shortly after we found out our daughter Rosie had died at 39 weeks pregnant. Her kind and compassionate manner helped us begin to process such a devastating moment. We genuinely believe that if every maternity ward had a Charlotte Mutton, navigating difficult moments, such as a stillbirth, would be a little bit easier for the families affected." 

- Daniel and Gemma, bereaved parents 

“If I could buy the whole world, I would gift it to her just to say thank you because she deserves more than words can express. It’s clear that she was born for this role, her care is genuine, and her impact is life changing.” Chidimma, bereaved parent

“Charlotte came to me as fate. She picked up an extra shift at the hospital which led to us meeting and she helped deliver my baby boy Avery hours later. We had found out some devastating news throughout me being in preterm labour and she was there every second for us and still continues to be months later. She wasn’t just a midwife, she became everything we needed her to be. She cried with us, laughed with us and helped us make those special memories in the 4 days that we had our baby boy... I would not be here today if it was not for Charlotte.” 

Georgia, bereaved parent 

“I feel completely overwhelmed and humbled that a bereaved family I have cared for has taken time to nominate me for the Elaine Thorpe Award, despite everything they have experienced.  

Through supporting, educating and empowering colleagues, I see life changing and devastating experiences transformed… Such quality care has provided positive moments for families to fondly reflect upon and through memory making, families have tangible memories and the ability to create an identity for their loved ones.  

A family's experience remains with them on their lifelong bereavement journey… We really only have one moment in time to ensure a family receives the care that meets their expectations and perceptions, care that is right for them.” 

- Charlotte Mutton, Bereavement Lead Midwife 

“She never judged me even when I felt insane from grief… Janine is like a fairy godmother… she made me feel so supported and cared for at a time when my world was crumbling... Janine helped me for years to rebuild my life after losing my daughter.” 

- Victoria Johnston, bereaved parent 

4 years ago, Victoria lost her baby daughter, and were cared for by then Health Visitor, Janine. Years later, Janine still remembers their little girl’s birthday and would send a message. She also supported the family through pregnancy with their first child, the pregnancy and loss of their second child, and then through two subsequent pregnancies until about 2 years postpartum.  

“Janine acknowledges me as a mother of 4 instead of the 3 most people see.” 

- Victoria, bereaved parent 

Thomas Cowan also nominated Janine for the Elaine Thorp Award for the care she gave to his family through pregnancy with their first child, through the tumultuous pregnancy and loss of their second child, and then through two subsequent pregnancies until around two years postpartum.

“Janine realised men grieve too… she'd always make me and my grief feel seen. She'd offer me support but never pressured me… When she called it felt like a friendly relative would come and brighten the day in even the worst of times. How could we ever thank someone for such outstanding dedication, support and love?”  

- Thomas, bereaved parent 

“Losing a child is unbearable, no matter at what stage. Providing good bereavement care is essential so parents know that they are supported and cared for and that their baby mattered and their wishes were respected. It is about being their partner in this process and being present for them.  

“As a health visitor you are also in the position to support and nurture that family if they decide to have another child after their loss, you are uniquely placed by being in their home and knowing their story.”  

- Janine 

“Jess treated my baby with such respect when doing the photographs and memories and changing her little hat. She made sure I had everything that had touched my baby… 

As a health care assistant myself, you never get enough credit and to do that for just bereaved parents is amazing. Jess really was just perfect for the job and how she came across and how comfortable she made me and didn’t shy away from any questions I had I’m so so thankful.” 

- Jess Thomas, bereaved parent 

Jessica was nominated by bereaved parent, Jess, for the care she provided after losing her baby. She describes how Jess brough her various things including a cot for her to choose from to bring her comfort, helped them make clay footprints to remember their baby, rearranging the room, bringing a night light, and making sure she felt as reassured and cared for as possible. 

“How a family is supported in those first days of loss can shape how they carry that grief for the rest of their lives. Good bereavement care acknowledges the deep pain of that loss, honours the baby’s life, and helps families begin to make sense of something senseless. It’s not about fixing or taking away their grief — it’s about making sure they don’t go through it alone and ensuring they find the right support for each family. 

Every story, every baby, every moment matters. I know that how we support parents in these moments stays with them forever. I’m driven by the belief that every family deserves to feel supported, respected, and cared for, especially in grief. I want to honour each baby’s life, no matter how short, by giving families the space and care they need to grieve in their own way.” 

- Jessica Maund, Bereavement Maternity Support Worker

“she was the reason why everything we have been through has been a little bit easier.” 

- Matt Snook, bereaved parent 

When Matt and Jasmine’s twins were born, they sadly lost their daughter, who was diagnosed with Edward’s syndrome. They nominated Laura for the way she supported them through their grief, and helped them ‘find the light on the best and worst day of [their] lives’. 

Tragically, their son fell ill with group B strep and sepsis 2 weeks later, and lost his battle with these illnesses. Laura cared for Matt and Jasmine again.  

“Laura, on her day off, was able to arrange for us to be moved from Oxford hospital back to Basingstoke so we could say goodbye to our little man in the same room we lost our daughter in.

“When we went back to the hospital with Noah, Laura was waiting outside for us and held us and the paramedics/doctors took Noah inside. She stayed with us while he took his last breath.” Jasmine, bereaved parent 

She attended the twins’ funeral, and helps host pregnancy and baby loss events where bereaved parents and families can connect and support each other and find support from specialist services. 

“Laura came out to our house weekly to provide support during the early stages of grief and has continued to be a great support system to this day. We can contact her at any point and due to her being part of the rainbow clinic for pregnancy after loss she is still providing the same level of outstanding care for me and my partner now that we are expecting again. 

"I don’t know where I would be without her continued support and care throughout the loss of our twins and the feelings we are navigating throughout this current pregnancy. She truly is someone special and dedicated to make baby loss easier and baby loss awareness a more talked about subject. I couldn’t thank her enough.” 

- Matt, bereaved parent 

“She never forgot his name, date of birth and little details like the blanket we sent him away with or the fact we had a Winnie the Pooh teddy for him… 6 years later she still keeps in touch and keeps my son’s memory alive...

"A conversation with Zara saved me and I now have 2 wonderful children. She is truly special.” 

- Beth Willmor, bereaved parent

Zara has worked for the NHS for 46 years, and spent 23 of those years in bereavement. Not only did Zara redesign the bereavement suite to make sure parents can grieve in privacy without having to hear or be near the labour ward, she also took psychotherapeutic training so that she can “support parents not only at the beginning of their loss, but to provide on-going support, often through to the next pregnancy which can be a very anxious and frightening time.” 

“It is an absolute honour and privilege to support and walk the path with bereaved parents and their families at the most devastating time of their lives. I aim to make the journey one that feels they are cared for with respect, empathy and love.” 

- Zara Chamberlain, Specialist Midwife Counsellor and Bereavement Midwife