LETTER: Festive support

At Sands (Stillbirth & neonatal charity) we know that the festive period may be a particularly sad and upsetting time for parents who have experienced a stillbirth or whose babies have died neonatally. That's why we have extended the opening hours of our Helpline to cover the holiday period every day including Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Bereaved parents tell us that Christmas can be highly emotional for them as they spend time with their close friends and families and remember their babies who have died. So we have responded by extending the opening hours of our Helpline at a time they may need us the most. I would urge anyone in Sussex who has been affected by 2the death of a baby to get in touch if they want to talk to us over the festive period. Our confidential Helpline provides a safe place for anyone affected by the death of a baby to talk about their feelings. We are dedicated to providing emotional support and information right from the early hours after a baby’s death, through to the weeks, months and years ahead.

Our experienced Helpline team is there to listen and provide information and you can call us on 020 7436 5881. If you would prefer to email instead please send a message to: [email protected] For further information on the support available from Sands please visit: www.uk-sands.org/support/how-we-offer-support

I wish all of your readers a happy Christmas and New Year.

Clea Harmer

Chief Executive

Sands (Stillbirth & neonatal death charity

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