About Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity

SANDS is a UK charity which was established in 1981 to offer support to bereaved parents and their families when their baby is stillborn or dies soon after birth.

The charity offers a range of services to parents and families, and to the health professionals who care for them and their baby. SANDS' UK office is in London and there are more than 150 local support groups and individual SANDS contacts throughout the UK.

Its services include a national telephone Helpline, resources for health professionals, information services and publications that help with the emotional and practical aspects of losing a baby.

SANDS local support groups are run by people who themselves have had a baby who has died. They offer befriending support, by phone, at home or through group meetings. Many groups work with their local hospitals to improve care and services for bereaved parents. This often includes raising funds for facilities such as bereavement rooms, which can greatly ameliorate the painful experience of losing a baby.