Norfolk Sands group re-launches to offer support to bereaved parents

Bereaved mums and dads in Norfolk are inviting people who have been affected by the death of a baby, to come along to the re-launch of the local Sands (Stillbirth & neonatal death charity) support group.

The group supports parents whose baby has died before, during or shortly after birth. The first meeting of the new look group will take place on Thursday 2 March at Treat Norwich, Capitol House (ground floor), 20 Capitol House, 4-6 Heigham Street, Norwich NR2 4TE at 8pm.

The Norfolk group is re-launching to provide more support for bereaved parents than ever before as new befrienders and volunteers have recently joined. This will allow the committee to build on the continued support to the local hospitals that the previous several long standing committee members and volunteers provided, and strengthen the already positive links within the community.

After the re-launch, regular support meetings will take place on the first Thursday of the month from 8pm- 10pm at Treat Norwich, and bereaved parents are more than welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

Sands groups are run on a voluntary basis by people who have themselves experienced the death of a baby.

Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, said: “We hope that the Norfolk Sands group will go from strength to strength in helping and supporting bereaved parents and their families at a devastating time for them. Many bereaved parents tell us that other parents who have experienced the death of a baby are able to offer real understanding and empathy.

“I would urge anyone in the local area who is bereaved to come along to a group meeting in the future. We are dedicated to providing emotional support and information right from the early hours after a baby's death, through to the weeks, months and years ahead.”

For further information call 07493 802739, email: group.norfolksands@gmail.com or visit: www.norfolksands.org.uk Follow Sands on Twitter at @SandsUK

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Notes to editors

For further information, please contact Lee Armitt, Press and PR Officer in the Sands press office on 0203 598 1959/07587 925411 or media@uk-sands.org

About Sands

Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. They work nationally to reduce baby deaths through promoting better maternity care and funding research. They have a programme of training and a wide range of resources designed to support professionals to improve the bereavement care they provide following the death of a baby, and they provide a comprehensive bereavement support service both nationally through their helpline and locally through around 100 regional support groups based across the UK. Further information can be found at www.sands.org.uk