Bereavement - Supporting you through loss
We are sorry if you find yourself here following the loss of your baby or you are supporting a friend or family member. During this difficult time, we hope to reassure you that your care and support is of the utmost importance to us, and we have the facilities and resources to offer you, your partner and baby the best care we can.
All our hospitals within the trust have a designated Bereavement Midwife, who form part of a team of professionals passionate about providing the best bereavement care to support your physical and emotional needs. Together we will walk you through this delicate journey step by step.
There is a designated bereavement suite on each site offering the time, space, and facilities necessary to support your stay, and offers the opportunity to make memories with your baby. This includes support from the chaplaincy team, professional photographer, contracted funeral directors and local support groups and charities.
Contact us
We welcome you to contact the team at your local hospital site to discuss any concerns and access further support.
Basildon Hospital
Basildon bereavement team: 07824461004, 01268 524900, ext: 1516
Broomfield Hospital
Broomfield bereavement team: 07785956140, 01245 516314
Southend Hospital
Southend bereavement team: 07775030394, 01702 435555, ext: 7093
Support groups
Finding strength through loss
We don’t want you to have to go through your loss alone, whether you want to share memories of your baby or talk about how you’re feeling, there are a variety of support options available when you are ready. Some are listed below, but if you want some other suggestions please talk to your bereavement midwife.
- Forget me not support group. Every other Wednesday of the month.
- Address: Manor Mission Church, SS15 6PA.
- Website: www.forgetmenotsupportgroup.org
- Social media: Forget me not babyloss support group | Facebook
- Stillbirth and neonatal death support (SANDS) Helpline: 020744365881
- Email: helpline@uk-sands.org
- Website: www.uk-sands.org
- Essex Sands group - South Woodham Ferrers meet first Thursday of the month.
- Find more information: Essex Sands | Facebook
- FC Vilomah Football team
- Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.com/FCVilomah
- Email: sandutdessex@gmail.com
- ABC - Angel Babies and Children Social Support Group. Meet first Friday of every second month, Holiday Inn Southend Airport.
- Find more information on their social media channel: www.facebook.com/groups/294446184566607/?ref=share
- B’s support group Chelmsford – Julie Ellingford: 07481988898
- Aching Arms, call or text:07464 508994
- Website: www.achingarms.co.uk
- Supporting arms
- Website: support@achingarms.co.uk.
- Supporting Arms for Dads: clientcare@achingarms.co.uk
LGBTQ+ families support
- PALS pregnancy after loss support: https://pregnancyafterlosssupport.org/resources-for-lgbtq-families-experiencing-loss-and-pregnancy-after-loss/
- The legacy of Leo: https://thelegacyofleo.com/lgbt-baby-loss/
- Supporting LGBT+ people around bereavement: https://www.sad.scot.nhs.uk/bereavement/supporting-lgbtplus-people-around-bereavement/
- Tommy’s LGBTQ+ loss stories: https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stories/LGBTQ-loss
- LBTQ+ families and pregnancy and infant loss – information to learn and avoid systemic discrimination: https://rtzhope.org/lgbtq
- Reproductive Loss For LGBTQ+ People: https://www.intimina.com/blog/reproductive-loss-for-lgbtq-people/
- LGBTQ+ and reproductive loss
- https://www.lgbtqreproductiveloss.org/
- Miscarriage Association: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/story/laura-rose-and-staceys-story/
- LGBT Mummies: https://lgbtmummies.com/
- LGBTQ+ peoples’ experiences of workplace leave and support following pregnancy loss: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13668803.2021.2020727
- Polling Spotlight: Understanding the Experiences of LGBTQ+ Birthing People: https://www.aamchealthjustice.org/news/polling/lgbtq-birth
- Revealed: Improving Trans and Non-binary Experiences of Maternity Services (ITEMS) report: https://lgbt.foundation/news/revealed-improving-trans-and-non-binary-experiences-of-maternity-services-items-report/475
Maternity bereavement experience survey
Your opinion matters
This questionnaire is for parents who have experienced the loss of their baby/babies during pregnancy or shortly after birth, and have used the Blossom, Butterfly or Forget me not bereavement services. Your feedback will help us audit the care we give and make improvements where necessary.