Organised by The Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS CharitySupporting parents at a time of great sadness, the loss of a baby is one of the hardest times of life for parents. The Charity aims to support those going through these times in the best way we can.
The Butterfly appeal is a very special appeal for the Charity. This appeal supports our Maternity Bereavement Unit at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Our aim is to support the unit with key aspects of patient care.
Sadly, not every baby born gets to go home, some gain their wings and fly on. The Bereavement Team are there to support patients through this sad journey. The Charity are there to support the surroundings the patients are in during this journey.
As part of this appeal the Charity are supporting with the new garden area and the two bereavement suites. We are supporting with the look and feel of these areas working alongside the clinical teams and parent groups.
The Maternity Bereavement Team at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital supports on average 70-80 new families per year. Our Bereavement Midwife Sally Sloane, offers support in line with the National Bereavement Care Pathway standards. This includes things such as home visits, support with funeral arrangements, emotional support, attending funerals and the weekly Rainbow Clinic – supporting women through their next pregnancy following a loss – and so much more.
The parent groups help us continue to improve our bereavement services, as some have been through a similar journey, and we acknowledge how important it is for them to have a voice.
The Bereavement Garden is a new addition for the Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Bedford Hospital already have a garden in place which provides a peaceful serene place to go. The team at Luton & Dunstable want the same for their families. The garden will offer a place of quiet contemplation, peaceful reflection and privacy, helping to support the emotional needs of our patients.
Within this garden, 150 bespoke glass butterflies will be carefully placed. They will reflect the sunlight as it comes up, and will appear as if they are in motion. The designer Tim McFadden, has handmade each and every one to ensure they are all unique.
Some butterflies have been sponsored as a lasting memory of a baby or a loved one gone too soon. They will be remembered by the Charity. Some have given words for others to read which will remain on our website after the appeal.
There will be two new bereavement rooms, which will be used solely for bereaved families who are sadly experiencing a pregnancy loss. The function of these rooms will be multipurpose – for both delivery and afterwards. We encourage families to spend as much time with their babies in these rooms as they would like, recognising that each journey is unique.
We are very lucky to have been donated four Abi Cots from families, alongside many other donations which include changing tables, clothing, memory making items, a camera and printer.
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