Birmingham volunteer urges bereaved families to seek support during Sands Awareness Week

A Birmingham volunteer who has spent more than 20 years supporting bereaved parents is encouraging families affected by pregnancy and baby loss to seek help during Sands Awareness Week.

Sands Awareness Week, which runs from the 15th-21st June, aims to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss and highlight the support available to families across the UK.

The campaign comes as Sands reports that 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth every day in the UK, while at least one in six pregnancies ends in miscarriage.

Ritu Sharma, a volunteer with Birmingham Sands, first turned to the charity following the loss of her own babies and now helps support other bereaved parents across the region.

"Giving something back to Sands is priceless," she said. "For me, it's a way to remember my babies."

Sands is the UK's leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, supporting bereaved families and working to save babies' lives through research, training and campaigning.

Birmingham Sands provides support for parents and families across the region through monthly meetings, a helpline, email support and family events throughout the year.

"We try to support each other, especially during a terrible time when a parent loses their baby and the ripple effects it has on their families," Ritu said.

She believes many bereaved parents continue to struggle long after their loss.

"It can be a very lonely time for a parent, whether it's a mum, a dad or a grandparent," she said. "You can feel really isolated and it is still a taboo subject.

"You might be okay initially, but then it might hit you like a double-decker bus a few months or even years down the line. That's where we step in because you can come and go, and we can give you that support. Sands will always be there."

Ritu said Birmingham Sands has recently seen fewer parents accessing its services and wants families to know support remains available.

"We are here for you and we are here to support you," she said. "It doesn't have to be face-to-face. It can be through our helpline or via email."

The charity's Birmingham group has been run by bereaved-parent volunteers for more than 40 years, with many people choosing to help others after receiving support themselves.

"People want to give back after something so negative," Ritu said. "Losing my babies and giving something positive back after something so negative is why I do what I do.

"You just don't want somebody else to struggle how you probably struggled initially."

As Sands Awareness Week continues, she hopes more families will realise they do not have to face pregnancy or baby loss alone.

"Sands provides a safe, understanding and caring community for anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss," she said. "We can help whether the loss happened recently or a long time ago.

"It doesn't matter which community you're from or what your background is. There is someone here to help you. Sands is here to help you, and you're not alone."

For support from Birmingham Sands, call 07709 425001 or email [email protected].