Bereaved Stone parents can access baby loss support through sessions hosted at Walton’s Community Centre.
A Child of Mine is a registered charity based in Stafford, Staffordshire, that provides vital emotional support, information and guidance to anyone who has suffered the death of a child of any age and under any circumstance. The charity was established in 2010 after the founder’s own son Lewis died of cancer, highlighting a large unmet need for bereavement care.
The charity’s mission is to help individuals and families through the devastating impact of early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infant and child death all the way through to the death of an adult child.
Alongside 1-2-1 support, the charity offers a range of groups for parents monthly where they can meet others who have been through the same journey. The groups offer peer support, allowing families to make new friends and come together in a safe place to talk about their children, showing them that they are not alone. The charity also provides groups for children who have suffered the death of a sibling as a safe place to come and talk or get crafty and have fun with entertainment.
Families can use the charity’s service for as long as they need; there are no limited session numbers, set of circumstances to conform to, or maximum time frames. The care is tailored specifically to the individual: meeting where, when, and how they want support, whether this is 121 face-to-face support, group peer support, texting, or online.
The charity also works closely with healthcare professionals and children’s hospitals across the country using the real experiences of bereaved families. They provide a voice for bereaved parents, making them seen, heard, and understood.
The charity offers a range of services that include 1-2-1 Bereavement Support, a Family Bereavement helpline, Support groups specific to miscarriage, baby loss and child loss, A Dads Group, Groups for bereaved siblings including groups for both younger and older children, Annual Memorial Services, A Resource Library, National Bereaved Parents day – 3rd July, and more.
All of the services provided by A Child of Mine are free of charge, and the charity relies solely on the generosity of the local community to fund its work. If you would like to get involved and help the charity support families who have lost their baby or child, you can make a donation or participate in fundraising events. Local businesses can also support the charity by providing services or items that can be used in a raffle or gift to a bereaved parent.
If you or someone you know needs support after the death of a baby or child, please reach out to A Child of Mine.
For more information, guidance, and details of their support groups, visit their website at www.achildofmine.org.uk. You can also email hello@achildofmine.org.uk or call 01785 283434 or 07803751229
