£1000 will fund us to create 33 stillbirth memory boxes which we will supply to hospitals and hospices to support bereaved parents. It will give these parents the opportunity to gain precious memories with their child/children. The memory boxes include a clay cast which gives the parent an opportunity to make an impression of the baby’s feet or hands and an inkless wipe to create hand or footprints. The box also includes items such as, a candle, fleece blanket, Guess How Much I Love You book, scan wallet, Acknowledgement of Life Certificate, a lock of hair trinket box, Forget Me Not seeds and two teddies, one to stay with the baby and the other for the parent/s to take with them. This will make the difference for a bereaved family walking out of hospital with empty arms. They will go home with a memory box full of precious memories.
We would estimate that this funding could reach/improve nearly 200 people as we believe one of our memory boxes reaches at least six people, the parents and both sets of grandparents. However, we also have lots of feedback from midwives informing us that our memory boxes (and other services we provide such as cuddle cots & photographic equipment) help with their job when caring for a bereaved family. It gives the family something to focus on and help with the grieving process.
