This year marks 20 years of Baby Loss Awareness Week in the UK, a week for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together to remember and commemorate our much-loved and missed babies. 

Baby loss affects 1 in 4 pregnancies in the UK according to Tommy’s, and for those families affected that pain and loss of course is not isolated to one week of the year however, this week acts as 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.

If you are wondering how you can support Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022, we’ve outlined some fantastic work raising awareness and offering support to those affected.

Tommy’s 

Tommy’s exists to support, care for and champion people, no matter where they may be on their pregnancy journey. The charity work tirelessly to ensure the UK is the safest place in the world to give birth and fund pioneering research into why pregnancies can go wrong, preventing complications and enabling special care for those that need it across clinics and research centres across the UK. Tommy’s offer a wealth of information, advice and guidance online, as well as invaluable support for those who have lost babies. 

You can support Tommy’s by donating here. https://www.tommys.org/donate

Wave of Light Candle – Plum and Ashby

Baby loss awareness week culminates each year with ‘Wave of Light’, taking place this year on 15th October at 7pm. Families across the world are encouraged to come together by lighting a candle at 7pm local time and leaving it burning for at least one hour to remember all babies that have died too soon.

For the third year now, Plum and Ashby have commissioned a charity Wave of Light candle in partnership with Elle Wright (@featheringtheemptynest), together they’ve already raised almost £100,000 in the first two years for Tommy’s and their candles are available for sale again in 2022 for the third year.

You can purchase your Wave of Light candle from Plum & Ashby, where 100% of the profits are donated to Tommy’s. 

Feathering the Empty Nest

Feathering The Empty Nest was created in January 2017 after Elle Wright lost her son, Teddy, in May 2016 at just three days old. Born out of a passion for making a house a home the blog was a space to share how that helped her heal, and write about her experience of losing Teddy.  After winning Tommy’s “Mums Voice Award” in 2018, Elle went on to write; Ask Me His Name (published in 2018) and A Bump In The Road (2021). Both raising funds for Tommy’s, her aim has always been to unite bereaved parents and write truthfully about the road navigated after losing a child. Elle’s online blog also shares other families’ stories of loss, creating a community where those affected can seek comfort, and those wanting to help can hear first-hand about the small things that make the biggest difference.

An honest discussion on Pregnancy and Fertility

Taking place at Allbright Members’ Club on 11th October between 6.30pm and 8pm, you can join An Honest Discussion on Pregnancy and Fertility led by ‘Beyond Grief’ author Pippa Vosper and Private GP Dr Jag Acharya. Hear about Pippa’s own personal journey with pregnancy loss and fertility challenges, medical insights and advice from Dr Jag along with two panellists sharing similar baby loss experiences. Whatever your experience of womanhood or motherhood, this will be an empowering evening of education, inspiration and connection. You will also have the opportunity to purchase the Plum & Ashby Wave of Light candle on the night.