Help on way for parents of stillborn children
AROUND ONE IN FOUR UK PREGNANCIES END WITH MISCARRIAGES
A BABY-LOSS charity has launched an appeal aiming to revamp a hospital ward where families are supported after miscarriages.
Forever Stars has launched the £50,000 fundraiser to help Nottingham families.
The money will be used to revamp Ward 23 at the Queen’s Medical Centre, part of the hospital’s Emergency Gynaecology and Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit. Every day around 10 families receive specialist care and support after baby loss.
The charity also aims to transform an outside space into a sanctuary and remembrance garden. Forever Stars has named its appeal Supporting 1 in 4 for 2024, as around one in four pregnancies ends with a miscarriage.
“We are an area that sees a lot of sadness and we want to do what we can to make our ward a more positive place for our patients,” said A23 matron Lucy Groves. “There is no bereavement area or ‘serenity suite’ – these women deliver in a clinical environment.”
Charity co-founder Richard Daniels said: “Forever Stars has already funded the fixtures and fittings to change two delivery rooms into bereavement suites.
“The garden is a sanctuary where families can retreat to try to deal with the weight of their loss. It’s also a valuable waiting area for fathers, and somewhere siblings can get fresh air and be kept occupied and distracted playing with toys while the rest of the family receives treatment, but it needs a lot of attention.”
Ms Groves added: “The campaign will fund a garden with a remembrance area, where families can plant a flower in memory of their baby, and it will also be a place for reflection.”
Forever Stars was set up by Richard and his wife Michelle after the stillbirth of their daughter Emily on December 19, 2013.
“A23 has a fantastic team that supports families dealing with baby loss,” said Richard. “We really want to create a better environment for families at what is a very difficult and scary time.
“We desperately need help – donations and resources from as many people and businesses as possible. As well as raising funds, we need people to donate their skills, time, materials and talents.”
The charity is appealing to local artists to paint murals and has a “want” list, which includes seating, heating and lighting, audio systems, artificial grass, bedding plants and children’s outdoor toys. “This is one of our biggest ever challenges and something we know we can’t do alone,” said Richard.
Time, expertise, and materials can be donated at enquiries@foreverstars.org.