Sands are wholly committed to raising awareness around the issues concerning stillbirth and helping to break the silence.
Here are some of our campaigns that we run throughout the year.
You can also find out how to become a Sands campaigner and
Pregnancy and Baby Charities Network
As a member of the Pregnancy and Baby Charities Network, Sands has worked collaboratively with 21 other organisations over a number of years to influence policy in order to address inequalities and improve outcomes across the country.
Read more about the network and download our Manifesto here.
Sands Awareness Month
June is Sands Awareness Month, when we all work hard to increase awareness of stillbirth and neonatal death and the everlasting impact experienced when a precious baby dies during pregnancy, at birth or shortly afterwards.
While many more people are aware of the pain of baby loss because of the work of Sands and other organisations, many people still have no idea and it remains a taboo subject.
Finding the Words
Together we can help everyone find the words to talk about baby loss.
Our Finding the Words campaign aims to break the silence around stillbirth and neonatal death by encouraging everyone to sensitively start a conversation with someone whose baby has died, however long ago.
Wave of Light
Wave of Light is an opportunity to join with bereaved parents, families and friends around the globe to commemorate all babies who sadly died too soon. It takes place at 7pm on 15 October.
To join the global ‘Wave of Light’, simply light a candle at 7pm local time on 15 October and leave it burning for at least one hour. This can be done individually or in a group, at home or in a communal space. Wherever you do this, you will be joining a global ‘Wave of Light’ in memory of all the babies who lit up our lives for such a short time.
#15babiesaday
Sadly, the death of a baby is not a rare tragedy: around 15 babies die before, during or soon after birth every day in the UK.
During Sands Awareness Month in June 2018 we will be launching a new campaign called Finding the words to help break the silence around stillbirth and neonatal death and raise vital funds to enable Sands to provide essential support for parents after the death of a baby.
Follow #Findingthewords across social media.
Baby Loss Awareness Week
Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place in October every year. It’s an opportunity for parents, their families and friends to acknowledge and remember their precious babies who have died. It is is led by Sands in collaboration with over 60 charities in the UK.
Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity:
- for bereaved parents and families across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives
- to break the silence around pregnancy or baby loss in the UK
- to ensure all bereaved parents in the UK get the best possible care, wherever they live, when they need it
Find out about Baby Loss Awareness Week
Become a Sands campaigner
100 babies are stillborn, or die shortly after birth, every week in the UK. We need your help to keep these babies on the political agenda, and to raise awareness nationally and locally. Whilst Sands has a structured campaigning programme and has met with many of the key health representatives, politicians ultimately want to hear from – and listen more to – their local constituents.