Baby Loss Awareness Week and the Power of Saying Their Name
Baby Loss Awareness Week, observed from October 9th to October 15th, is a national event dedicated to acknowledging and supporting those who have experienced the heart-wrenching loss of a child. During this week, we come together to raise awareness of baby loss and emphasise the importance of using the name of the baby or child who has died; to Say Their Name.
One of the fundamental goals of Baby Loss Awareness Week is to break the silence that surrounds baby loss. Grief can be an isolating experience, and the stigma surrounding baby loss can make it even more challenging for parents and families to openly share their pain and seek support. By encouraging, acknowledging and discussing baby loss openly, we hope to create a safer and more empathetic space for those who have endured this profound loss and for them to know that they are not alone.
Saying Their Name: The Power of Remembrance
Saying the name of the baby or child who has died holds immense significance. It’s a powerful way to honour and remember the life that was lost. When we say their name, we acknowledge that they existed, that they mattered, and that their memory lives on. It also provides a source of comfort for grieving parents, knowing that their child has not been forgotten.
Parents who have experienced baby loss often find solace in hearing their child’s name spoken aloud. It affirms that their child’s life had meaning and continues to have an impact on their lives. This is why we have the reading of the names at our Remembrance Time in December. If you have family or friend who has lost a baby or child, why not make a particular effort to talk to them about their child this week?
Edward’s Trust has been providing qualified and experienced support and care to individuals and families who have been bereaved by baby loss for 34 years and has been a beacon of hope for countless parents and families who have experienced the devastating loss of a child. We offer a range of services, including counselling, wellbeing therapy and group support to help individuals navigate the complex and overwhelming emotions that accompany baby loss. You can read more on our website. We are also pleased to host a Sands (baby loss charity) befriender meeting here in our building on a monthly basis.
Baby Loss Awareness Week is a vital annual event that seeks to break the silence surrounding baby loss and promote remembrance by saying their name. By participating in this observance; talking about it and perhaps also lighting a candle with many others across the country on Sunday 15th October, at 7pm, we seek to create a more compassionate and understanding society where grieving parents find the support they need and the recognition that their child’s memory lives on.
We know that Edward’s Trust play a crucial role in providing solace and guidance to those in their darkest moments, offering a glimmer of hope and healing amidst the pain. But let us all come together during Baby Loss Awareness Week to support and uplift those who have experienced baby loss, ensuring that their children’s names are forever remembered and cherished.