Service for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024 #BLAW2024
NHS Orkney in partnership with Orkney SANDs will once again be hosting a service as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW).
Few experiences compare to the trauma and pain of pregnancy and baby loss. During this year’s Baby Loss Awareness Week, we will acknowledge that finding ways to nurture your mental and physical wellbeing is a vital part of anyone’s bereavement journey.
The 'Together, we care' theme this year is about finding time to care for ourselves, and each other, as part of a community of people affected by all forms of pregnancy and baby loss.
The week also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss. As well as 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.
Melissa Lindsay, Midwife and Sonographer at NHS Orkney said: “We hope that by holding this annual service it will spark conversations about pregnancy loss and precious babies gone too soon and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk.”
As this year’s theme is ‘Together, we care’, we would like to invite those affected by baby loss to tie a ribbon outside St Magnus Cathedral in memory of their baby. Ribbons are available outside the St Magnus Cathedral or main reception at The Balfour from Tuesday 9 October and we encourage those affected by baby loss to take one of the ribbons and tie it on the railings outside the Cathedral throughout BLAW.
Debs Crohn, Orkney SANDs volunteer said “Being able to talk and share experiences of baby loss is so important. I took a lot of comfort from family and friends when Lucy died, which is one of the reasons I volunteer for Orkney SAND’s. Offering a listening ear gives people the opportunity to explore their own experiences and learn different ways to deal with their grief.
The awareness week is recognised across the world and culminates with the ‘Wave of Light’ on 15 October 2024. This is a special time when people across the world light a candle at 7pm and leave it burning to remember all babies that have died too soon. We are encouraging everyone to get involved with the “Wave of Light” and we’ll be lighting our own candles at the service.”
The service will take place on, Tuesday 15 October 2024 at the Kings Street Halls, Kirkwall. The doors open at 6pm with the service starting at 6.30pm followed by lightning of a candle as part of the Wave of Light at 7m. After we’ve joined the wave of light, some of us will be walking to the cathedral (which is optional) to spend time remembering our babies together.
We realise that some people may not be able to attend the service in person, for those who can't make it, the event will be livestreamed on Tuesday. To join, simply click on this link at 6.15pm Tuesday 15 October.
We encourage everyone who would like to light a candle in memory of babies lost, to do so at 7pm on Tuesday.
If you would like to dedicate a blue or pink ribbon you can do so by visiting Ribbon Remembrance Tree - BLAW 2024 - Sands | Visufund