The old States Offices are being lit up in pink and blue this week to raise awareness of baby loss.

Baby Loss Awareness Week helps to unite the pregnancy and baby loss community with the annual ‘Wave of Light’ event being held tomorrow at the close of the campaign.

Shelley Samson from The Ivy Trust, said the awareness week gives people a chance to come together and speak out to increase understanding of the impact of loss and remember all babies. 

The week also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss, the importance that bereavement support plays in the ongoing bereavement journey, and of the vital work that is needed to improve pregnancy outcomes and to save babies’ lives. 

“We hope turning this central landmark building pink and blue will spark conversations about pregnancy loss and baby loss, and let local bereaved parents and families know we stand with them and that they are not alone,” Ms Samson said.

“Our work at The Ivy Trust supports parents and professionals in Guernsey in many areas following the loss of a baby and this annual event including the ‘Wave of Light’ which we hold on 15 October in the Ivy Garden at the PEH, provides an opportunity to pause and remember those babies that we have lost .”

Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands and Chair of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, said few experiences can compare to the trauma and pain of pregnancy and baby loss.

Baby Loss Awareness Week can help bereaved parents and families through finding ways to nurture your mental and physical wellbeing is a vital part of anyone’s bereavement journey.

“Baby Loss Awareness Week is an important time to let anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss know that there is a community that understands and is here for you, whatever you need – be it guidance, shared stories or simply a listening ear to help and offer comfort,” she said. 

“It’s also a vital moment to let everyone know, including those who have not been personally affected, that it’s OK to talk about pregnancy and baby loss. By learning about the issues and having compassionate conversations with each other we can all help break the silence and help build a society where everyone knows how to find support for themselves or to reach out to someone they know, a family member, friend, or work colleague.

“I hope that lighting up buildings across the UK in pink and blue during October will help reassure anyone who finds themselves navigating this journey, whether recently bereaved or longer ago. You are not alone. We’re here for you, always.”

All of the buildings and landmarks turning pink and blue for #BLAW in 2025 will be featured on an interactive map on the Baby Loss Awareness Week website. Anyone in Guernsey can share their photos of the former Tourism Information Centre on social media and include the hashtag #BLAW to reach as many people as possible.

Baby Loss Awareness Week ends with the global ‘Wave of Light’ on 15 October. Everyone is invited, wherever they are in the world, to light a candle at 19:00 local time as a special mark of support and remembrance. 

Explore www.babyloss-awareness.org to discover support for you and ways you can get involved during the week.