Hayley was 40 weeks and four days pregnant when she was told her precious baby boy George had died. Time stood still and her and her husband's world was shattered into a million pieces, but she describes how Sands was her lifeline and how the connections she has made have made a difference to her healing.

Adam shares The Smallest Hello, a poem he wrote in memory of his son Alfie, which was read at Alfie's funeral six weeks after he passed.

Adam shares how his son Alfie was born at 20 weeks and stayed with him and his fiancée Lori for two hours before going to sleep in their arms.

Sarah shares how support from Sands and Tommy's has been invaluable in making her feel less alone in the horrible "club" of baby loss after her first son Harry was born at 26 weeks and died just three days later.

Asiya shares how being of Asian background means miscarriage is seen as a taboo and stigma so herself and her husband found there wasn't enough support around them after they experienced four miscarriages. She wants to share her story so other families feel less alone.

It is important for people from all backgrounds, including the LGBTQIA+ community, to be able to access proper care and support when they experience pregnancy or baby loss. We are grateful to Jess, founder of Baby Loss Hour, for sharing her experience and thoughts.

When Sofia, the precious daughter of Samantha and Christopher, was born sleeping on New Year’s Day 2021, her parents were heartbroken, but thanks to a Sands memory box, they were able to make special memories together as a family.

Brendan from Northern Ireland wrote his poem 'For Parents Everywhere...' after realising the impact pregnancy and baby loss has had on his close friends and family. 

Following lockdown, Hayley and her partner Reece were thrilled to find out they were expecting a baby boy, Ollie. After a low risk pregnancy, Ollie died due to a placenta abruption. Having to leave the hospital without her baby was one of the most harrowing and painful experiences Holly has ever encountered, and the hours and days that followed were the darkest of her life, but she made it through by taking things hour by hour and shares how despite everything Ollie has changed her life for the better.

This year marks ten years since my granddaughter, Lottie, was stillborn. It was a devastating time for our family, but I was incredibly grateful for the support I received — not just from friends and family, but also from my colleagues and employers in the NHS, who were truly compassionate.

I suffered an ectopic pregnancy very recently, an experience that almost cost me my life. It was one of the most isolating and painful times I've ever been through.

Sands United is passion project for me. It’s been a way for me to deal with my three losses, process what’s gone on and become more resilient around dealing with things. It's given me a space to remember my children, and it’s been a way for me to give back and create a legacy for them which has helped other people.

With my loss, something really unexpected happened. When I finally opened up about it, it actually brought me closer to my mum. For a long time, I didn’t think she’d understand — I assumed she wouldn't know what to say or how to support me.

I’ll start by saying that I’m childless. We (me and my husband) wanted to have a child, but have been unable to – there’s been no choice in the matter.

Harrison was born on 9 October 2015 weighing 5 pound 6 ounces after being induced at 37 weeks due to getting Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) in my pregnancy. Harrison was in perfect health.