Sands Wellington-Hutt Valley - supporting bereaved parents

Catherine from Woburn

Sands Wellington-Hutt Valley (www.sandswellingtonhutt.org.nz) support bereaved parents and whanau in the Wellington and Hutt Valley community following the loss of a baby or infant. One aspect of the services we provide to the families are support meetings twice a month; one in Johnsonville and one in Lower Hutt. These support meetings connect bereaved parents and provide them with the opportunity to talk about their baby/ies and their experience. Many parents comment that they appreciate meeting other bereaved parents who have walked a similar path and just 'get it'. We also hold a Baby and Child Memorial Service annually where people in the community come together to remember their babies. We provide space where bereaved parents are safe and supported. As we are funded only by donations and grants the money would go towards costs to hold these support meetings such as; room hire, hot drink supplies, milk and chocolate (we always have chocolate at a Sands meeting), and holding our community events such as the memorial service and Global Wave of Light during Baby Loss Awareness Week. Thank you for your consideration, Sands Wellington-Hutt Valley Committee.