As National Bereaved Parents Day is observed on Friday 3 July, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) is joining organisations across the country in honouring babies and children who are loved and remembered, while raising awareness of the compassionate support available to families experiencing loss.
This year's theme, "This is my place", focuses on finding a sense of belonging, building a community within grief, and recognising the places that hold special memories or provide comfort on a family's journey through loss.
The day also aims to remove the stigma surrounding child loss, encourage open conversations and bring together families who share similar experiences.
CDDFT is committed to providing compassionate and supportive bereavement care to families who experience pregnancy loss from 16 weeks gestation and families who lose children at any age.
Specialist Midwife for Bereavement Care, Jenna Goat, provides individualised support and advocacy for bereaved families throughout their journey, helping ensure families receive the care, guidance and understanding they need during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Jenna said: "Pregnancy loss is an incredibly emotional and life-changing experience. National Bereaved Parents Day is an opportunity to remember every baby who is loved and missed, while recognising the ongoing journey that parents and families navigate following loss.
"This year's theme, 'This is my place', reminds us of the importance of creating spaces where families feel safe, supported and understood. Whether that is a special place of remembrance, a supportive community, or a dedicated bereavement environment within our hospitals, these spaces can provide comfort and connection during grief.
"My goal is to create a supportive, psychologically safe environment for our bereaved families and team members, ensuring every family receives compassionate, personalised care and feels listened to throughout their journey."
Families experiencing pregnancy loss can choose to receive care at either Darlington Memorial Hospital or University Hospital of North Durham.
When clinically appropriate, families also have access to the Serenity Suite at University Hospital of North Durham, a dedicated bereavement facility designed to provide privacy, comfort and compassionate support away from busy maternity areas.
Plans are underway to create a dedicated bereavement suite at Darlington Memorial Hospital in the future.
Families are also able to visit the Baby Memorial Garden within the peaceful Woodland Walk at University Hospital of North Durham. The garden offers a quiet space for reflection and remembrance, and families can apply to have a memorial plaque placed in honour of their baby.
Additional support is available through the Trust's Chaplaincy Team, which provides compassionate pastoral and spiritual care and guidance to families of all faiths and none.
The Trust's Clinical Photography Team also plays an important role in helping families create lasting memories.
Families who experience the loss of a baby are offered professional photographs of their baby, parents and loved ones, which are presented in a special memory book alongside keepsakes donated by charitable organisations such as 4Louis.
Parents are also offered a digital camera to capture their own precious memories, either in hospital or at home.
Further support includes the availability of cuddle cots and privacy prams, allowing families additional time with their baby in a respectful and dignified environment.
During Baby Loss Awareness Week each October, the Trust's Chaplaincy Team hosts dedicated Baby Loss Memorial Services in Durham, Darlington and Bishop Auckland.
These services provide families with an opportunity to come together, remember their babies and find comfort and support alongside others who have experienced loss. The services are open to all families, regardless of when their loss occurred.
As National Bereaved Parents Day is observed across the UK, CDDFT stands alongside bereaved parents and families, remembering every child, supporting open conversations about loss, and reaffirming its commitment to providing compassionate care when it is needed most.
For more information about bereavement support services at CDDFT, speak to your healthcare professional.