'Heart in their hands' keyrings donated to Nottingham Hospitals Bereavement Service
Families who experience the loss of a baby at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) will receive a priceless keepsake of their child thanks to donations from the Nottinghamshire SANDS charity.
The ‘heart in their hands’ project allows bereaved parents to share a gift with their baby. Each family will receive a heart in their hands keepsake, which can be placed in the baby’s hand or blanket when saying goodbye. It is then something the family can take as a reminder of the connection shared.
Bereavement Specialist Midwife Christa Burgess said: “I am so grateful to Nottinghamshire SANDS and to everyone who has helped fundraise for these treasured keepsakes. To be able to offer families such a beautiful and thoughtful gift is priceless.”
The donation celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Nottinghamshire branch of the national SANDS charity, which works closely with the Bereavement Service at NUH.
SANDS provides monthly support groups at the Zephyr’s Centre, ran by Nottingham Hospitals Charity and fundraises for various projects to help bereaved families through this very difficult time.
Emma O’Brien, Chair of Nottinghamshire SANDS said: “We are so grateful to everyone who donated to this appeal. We hope that through the keepsakes we can provide a small piece of comfort to families at such a devastating time.”
Carly Williams from the Zephyr’s Centre, a space for bereaved families away from the clinical setting of the Maternity Units, said how valuable this gift would be to families who have experienced baby loss.
“If we could have had one of these when we lost our son four and a half years ago, he would have held on to something forever that we could touch and hold as we continue to remember him.”
To learn more about the Child Bereavement Services at NUH click here.