Published: Tuesday, 11th October 2022
For two decades, Baby Loss Awareness Week has been bringing together parents, families and loved ones over the shared experience of pregnancy and infant loss.
Oldham Council recognises the event each year by sharing the support offered to Oldham’s residents through national and local charities and non-profits, including Sands and Tommy’s.
The event runs 9 to 15 October and the Civic Centre tower has been lit up this week as a way of raising awareness of the issue and to recognise the memory of all the little ones lost in Oldham.
Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Baby loss affects around one in four pregnancies and will have affected thousands of families in Oldham.
“While this grief is very personal, we hope highlighting the campaign will unite families through this shared experience and acknowledge all of the babies in Oldham who were taken too soon.”
This year, the Council has joined forces with Relax with Lucy and Co - a Shaw-based non-profit that helps those who have experienced baby loss through mindfulness and well-being techniques.
The organisation was set up by Lucy Livesey, a mental health nurse, well-being practitioner and a bereaved mother. She teaches meditation and mindfulness for loss and has brought others on board to reach as many people as possible.
Lucy said: “When my baby died, in the days that followed, I remember feeling numb, in my mind I knew it would take time to pick myself up, but I felt broken. In the days, weeks and months that followed. I coped and continue to cope by practicing self-care and being calm and aware of what I’m going through.
“I set up Relax with Lucy as I wanted to help others cope and reach as many people as possible.
“Prescription drugs and counselling aren’t for everyone, so I offer free mindfulness sessions as an alternative to help bereaved parents and loved ones manage their grief.”
Lucy will be hosting a live session on the Oldham Council’s Facebook page on Wednesday 12 October at 8:30pm, focusing on Managing Grief after baby loss.
The Council will also be hosting a Wave of Light forum on its Facebook page on Saturday 15 October at 7pm, so Oldham’s parents and families can share photos of their candles that burn brightly in the memory of their little ones who were taken too soon.
If you have experienced or are experiencing baby loss and require support, the Ellie’s Gift App is a quick and useful resource to link you with support. You can get it through the App Store of via Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can find out more at https://www.relaxwithlucy.co.uk/