Lighting up Bristol to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week

Faye Ripley
PR & Communications Manager | University Hospitals Bristol & Weston Charity
8th October 2024
Member roleInitiative member

The skies of Bristol will turn blue and pink this week in support of Baby Loss Awareness Week, taking place from Wednesday 9th to Tuesday 15th October.

Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity has arranged for St Michael’s Hospital to become a beacon of hope in memory of little lives lost and to mark the end of their Snowdrop Appeal.

From Wednesday 9th October to Monday 14th October, beams of pink and blue light, the colours of Baby Loss Awareness Week, will light up the skies above St Michael’s Hospital from 7pm to 10pm.

At 7pm on the final evening, Tuesday 15th October, the beams will change to a warm white colour and represent a city-wide candle as the global Wave of Light begins. This is when families are invited to light a candle in memory of a baby they’ve lost.

Thanks to the support of media owner, JCDecaux UK, and their partners, the charity will then takeover JCDecaux UK digital screens in Bristol city centre for the Wave of Light hour. From 7pm, an image of burning candles will be displayed and it is set to be a moving moment of acknowledgement and reflection along the usual bustling city centre streets. 

Sarah Pryer, Director of Partnerships & Programme at Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, said: “The families who lose a baby at our hospitals are going through one of the most traumatic events of their lives and we want to do everything we can to support them.

“These beams of light are a beacon across the city, in memory of all the little lives longed for and loved deeply, and shows our support for parents and families.

“We hope it will encourage open conversations about pregnancy and baby loss, and let local bereaved families know we stand with them and that they are not alone.

“The lights are also raising vital awareness of the importance of providing a safe and comfortable environment for families to grieve.”

Phil Drye, Chief Commercial Development Officer at JCDecaux UK, added: “We are proud to support Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity this Baby Loss Awareness Week, using the power of the public screen to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss and bring this important campaign to people in Bristol.”

The Snowdrop Appeal, which launched in March, has raised close to £50,000 to transform the bereavement spaces at St Michael’s Hospital and Weston General Hospital, restoring them to places of love and bringing families comfort when they need it most.

Baby Loss Awareness Week in October sees the refurb work in the Lavender Suite completed. This is a self-contained family space in the heart of St Michael’s Hospital, where people can spend as much time as they want with their baby.

Other spaces include early pregnancy rooms, the mortuary viewing room and waiting areas. The appeal has transformed a total of eight hospital spaces, providing new furniture, better lighting, calming artwork and sensitive soundproofing on the delivery suite.

Sarah Windfeld, Director of Midwifery, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The Snowdrop Team provide support to parents and families who have sadly experienced a bereavement in pregnancy or shortly after. The time the family is able to spend together and the memories created in this time are very special and essential to provide families with the support that they need.

“The Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity Snowdrop Appeal has helped to improve the spaces families stay in to help them feel comfortable and supported, while in our care.”

Anyone who wants to make a donation in support of Baby Loss Awareness Week can still do so by visiting www.bwhospitalscharity.org.uk/snowdrop-appeal.

For more information on Baby Loss Awareness Week, go to: www.babyloss-awareness.org.

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