Festive period 'tough' for those dealing with baby loss, says founder of Worcester football team
Sands United Worcester was started in 2023 after founder Ross Joyner lost his daughter
The founder of a football team in Worcester says the start of a new year can be a difficult time for those who have experienced the loss of a baby.
Sands United Worcester were formed in 2023 by Ross Joyner to help and bring together men affected by the topic who were dealing with their grief.
Ross and his partner lost their daughter Daisy nearly two years ago and set-up the group after finding there wasn't one already in the area.
He says they always remember Daisy still each day and the group has really helped him and others cope with how they were feeling.
"You know exactly how everyone feels and why they are here without even speaking to them," Ross said.
"It's tough mentally at Christmas, I have another older daughter and we should be buying two lots of presents each not just one.
"The first one in 2023 was difficult because we felt guilty in a way that we were celebrating, but this year we just did things a lot more at our own pace and relaxed that bit more.
"On our Christmas tree we had two little girls at the top just for our two girls, we'll have daisies on the tree and everywhere you can think off, just so we can look around and have a smile on our face."
The group meet once a week to have a catch-up and keep in touch with each other regularly when they aren't having a kick about on the pitch.
Ben Tippen is one of the players who joined the team after him and his partner lost their son Noah last year.
He says it has helped him being around people that have gone through a similar experience.
"This was our first Christmas and we knew it was going to probably be the toughest one with it being the first," he said.
"We have another son, and it's really hard because it's like a wave of emotions you get where your really happy to see them open their presents, then at the same time you get upset because your other child isn't there.
"When you can come to somewhere for an hour and be around people who have had a similar experience and you know you can chat if you want or you can just play, it's just nice to be around and have that."
The team are set to play their next match against Sands United Dudley on Sunday 19 January.
On their matchday shirts, all players also have the names of their children, or grandchildren who they are playing in memory for.