Hi, my name is Michelle and I have been a Barnsley Midwife for 21 years. In October of last year, I became the new Lead Midwife for Bereavement services. My role is to support families during a loss from 20 weeks pregnant which includes termination due to fetal abnormality, late miscarriage, intrauterine fetal death or a neonatal death. Each woman and their families are cared for by myself and a supportive team of midwives and maternity support workers to help them through this difficult time and afterwards. We help families create memories of the baby they have lost.

Jaxon’s gifts and Henry’s Hope are two charities that support our bereavement service to create these memories for our families.

Jaxon’s gifts-. Following the loss of their son Jaxon, Jaxon’s family felt one area of care that could have been improved was memory boxes for siblings. These beautiful boxes help families talk to the sibling(s) of the baby that has been lost, help explain what has happened but also provide ways to remember them including books to read together. I have seen the comfort that these bring both to the parents but also the children. Through their own fundraising, Jaxon’s family have also provided supplies, much needed equipment and soft furnishings to our Rainbow Room and the hospital memorial garden. Our rainbow room has flourished with their involvement and generosity. They also, with help from our hospital chaplain, facilitate a memorial service in October. This is during ‘Baby Loss awareness week’. Providing a reading and hearts for families to write their messages which are hung on the tree in the hospital chapel all year round.

Henry’s Hope started following Beth and Andy’s loss of their son Henry. They provide free hand and footprint castings to families that use our service. Prior to Henry’s Hope this could cost up to £200. They also lead a peer support group and facilitate a Christmas memorial service, which I was honoured to take part in this Christmas. Their aim this year is to include a spring picnic. They provide a snack shack in the rainbow room and have ambitions to expand this to the neonatal unit as well.

We are very grateful to both Jaxon’s Gifts and Henry’s Hope for the support they give to our bereaved families in Barnsley. As a way to say thank you, a team of midwives have decided to take a “Leap for A Rainbow” and will be doing a charity sky dive on the 1st April. In addition to the hospital team we are joined by a bereaved father, Steve and a bereaved mother, Siobhan. Steve and his wife, when pregnant with twins, sadly lost their daughter Sophia Rose. Her beautiful twin brother is thriving but Sophia always remains in their thoughts. Siobhan, had a late miscarriage in the height of covid and sadly lost their daughter Rose. We thank Steve and Siobhan for courageously taking the leap for our rainbow room fund in memory of Sophia Rose and Rose. I would personally thank the whole team for their bravery and time!

Please be aware, the cost of each person jumping (£130 approx.) will be deducted from the funds, however with the funds we will raise, we will not only provide money to our rainbow room but will provide a donation back to Henry’s Hope and Jaxon’s Gifts in recognition of their hard work and dedication over the years in of support Barnsley maternity bereavement services.

Thank you for taking the time to read our just giving page. We hope you and others will donate to such a worthy cause ensuring the bereaved families of Barnsley continue to receive the support they need.

With much thanks,

The LEAP FOR A RAINBOW TEAM X