The team from Philip’s Footprints, which supports families who have lost a baby or a child, shared their efforts to help families through bereavement in 2024, including building new workshops and a website, and their hopes for the year ahead…
What have been the highlights of 2024?
We were delighted to bring back to Jersey the pregnancy and baby loss bereavement care course from SANDS (the UK’s stillbirth charity).
Aimed at professionals who engage with bereaved families, 80 people attended over 4 days and being all from one community enhanced this learning experience, all offering different perspectives and experience and all with a wish to provide better bereavement care. We were all moved by the personal stories of baby loss from local bereaved parents, an integral part of the day.
What has been the greatest challenge?
Finally turning our long-awaited vision for a new website into reality after many, many hours of discussion, feedback and content creation. We couldn’t be prouder of our comprehensive yet easy to navigate site taking you to the information you need in just a few clicks.
Whether that is seeking trusted sources of support following loss, information on safer pregnancies, how to support us, how else we can support you, about us or our news and events.
And what is on your charity’s ‘wish list’ for 2025?
As a charity we’re in an interesting position as due to Data Protection we can’t be told who we’ve helped.
We’d like to improve our visibility even further to ensure anyone who is affected by the loss of a baby or child, no matter how early or how long ago, no matter the reason for loss, through subsequent pregnancies – whatever the reason you might want a bit of support, we want people to know we are there for them on what can be a difficult and sometimes lonely journey. We are here to listen and support them.
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Grant to support parents who suffer a stillborn baby under consideration