Rachel's Story At 22 weeks and six days pregnant Rachel's waters broke and she was told it was highly likely she could go into labour. At 24 weeks at 8pm on 16th July she and her partner Aiden could no longer hear their baby boy Cian's heartbeat and Cian was born sleeping a few hours later. With the help of midwives she and Aiden spent two days making memories with Cian and take comfort in the fact that he passed away in the place he was safest, warmest and surrounded by love. Rachel goes on to share how nearly 20 months on, she has had another beautiful boy Shay and how for every milestone celebrated with Shay they think about all the moments that could have been with Cian. Read this story
Jayesh's Story Jayesh shares how the help and support from his colleagues and NatWest Bank, including counselling, a phased return to work and being put in touch with colleagues who had experienced similar situations, made a difference when he and his wife lost their baby girl Tia at term plus nine days due to suspected pre-eclampsia. Read this story
Sophie's Story Sophie shares how she first became aware of Sands when her baby brother died at three weeks old in 1992, and the charity supported her Mum. She also shares how she lost her beautiful daughter in November 2017 at 23 weeks and five days pregnant after she had to have a termination for medical reasons (TFMR) when her daughter's 20 week scan revealed she had Ventriculomegaly and Tetralogy of Fallot, and how in July 2018 she experienced a late miscarriage when she went into labour with her little boy at 14 weeks pregnant. Sophie worried about people's reactions to her termination for medical reasons (TFMR) so didn't pursue support from her local Sands group but she now realises how valid her situation was for that support. Read this story
Senior Philanthropy Manager This newly created and pivotal role comes at a crucial moment in Sands’ strategic journey. As Senior Philanthropy Manager, you... Application Deadline 19 April 2026
Paid miscarriage leave launches in Northern Ireland From Monday 6 April, parental bereavement leave in Northern Ireland will be extended to include families who experience pregnancy or... Posted 6 April 2026
Run 50k in May Tracker & FAQ Download the tracker for your challenge View online • Download pdf (3.03 MB)
Ellie's Story While she was on holiday in Spain in April 2023 Ellie's baby girl, Maeve, arrived 12 and a half weeks early. She was rushed to NICU where a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was diagnosed. She had emergency surgery but then developed Pulmonary Hypertension as a result of her CDH. Four weeks and one day after she arrived into the world, Maeve passed away in the arms of her mummy and daddy. Read this story
Kelly's Story Kelly, a bereaved mother from Northern Ireland, who has had 11 miscarriages speaks about the impact of having to take sick leave for this at work, and how the introduction of two weeks paid leave for parents in Northern Ireland who've experienced miscarriage will make a positive difference in acknowledging the loss. Read this story
Karina's Story Karina shares after experiencing two miscarriages, in September 2022 and February 2023, how the support and kind gestures from her colleagues at Ulster Bank, part of the NatWest Group, made a difference to her. Read this story
Jemma's Story In August 2017 at 39 weeks and three days pregnant Jemma received the worst news that her baby boy Brody had passed away. In the weeks that followed, Jemma discovered that she had a Group B Strep infection what had made its way to Brody once her waters had broken. In memory of her son, who will always be a part of her, Jemma wants to drive awareness of baby loss and stillbirth and educate people about Group B Strep. Read this story