Peterborough and Stamford Sands group search for befrienders and treasurer

Members of the Peterborough and Stamford Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity) support group are appealing to the local community to help them recruit a new treasurer and befrienders.

The treasurer role would be especially suitable to anyone with financial acumen as well as an interest or empathy with Sands’ work.

Befrienders are also needed to provide support to anyone affected by the death of a baby over the phone and in person at group meetings. The new befrienders must successfully complete Sands’ befriender training, and a minimum of a year must have passed since their baby died.

The Peterborough and Stamford Sands group exists to support bereaved mums and dads and anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby, and they provide much needed support to local people whose baby has died before, during or shortly after birth.

Sands support 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: “I hope that the Peterborough and Stamford Sands group will find a treasurer and befrienders as soon as possible, so the group can continue to provide support to bereaved parents and their families at a devastating time for them. I would urge anyone in the local area who could help to get in touch.”

The committee at Peterborough and Stamford Sands successfully set their group up from scratch, have built positive relationships with Peterborough Hospital and have raised several thousands of pounds in funding from support by local people and businesses.

For further information on the roles or to find out more about the group contact Rose Abrehart, East Network Coordinator at Sands on 07707 480020 or email: rose.abrehart@uk-sands.org 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