Guernsey Sands Committee member and husband up for Pride of Guernsey 2017 Parents of the Year award

Guernsey Sands' Communications Officer and husband, Nicole and Rik Bromley, have been nominated for the #PrideofGuernsey 2017 Parents of the Year following the stillbirth of their son. Sandra Hooker nominated her daughter and son-in-law for the Christies Group-sponsored Parents of the Year Award with the following: “Richard and Nicole deserve being nominated due to their strength, love and compassion. Their initial task as parents was to arrange their first born son’s funeral. Completely broken they showed those around them how to cope. They sought support when needed but gave support back to many others – not least by becoming involved in SANDS Guernsey and Nicole continues to this day on their committee. Their second child Edie was born two years later but with a congenital cataract which had to be operated on in Southampton. She has undergone numerous examinations and operations in Guernsey, Southampton and now London at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Each visit being immensely stressful but the three of them cheerfully get on with it. Never out of their minds is Freddie – Nicole wrote on Father’s Day – “A daddy of two, one in his arms and the other only in his heart. Such a brave daddy who picks himself up every day to be the best daddy for Edie despite knowing he’s missing a son here on earth”. Richard and Nicole are not grieving alone and like others are getting on with life despite all, but I do think they deserve a very public pat on the back.” If you think Nicole & Rik deserve to be crowned Parents of the Year go to www.prideofguernsey.com

Guernsey Sands appoint new committee member

Chloe Gallie was recently appointed as a new committee member at the recent Guernsey Sands AGM. Chloe will take on the role of Event Organiser helping to coordinate the annual Lights of Love service and any other memorial/fundraising events. Chloe said: “When a few friends and family members experienced stillbirths and neonatal deaths around the same time, I felt completely useless but wanted to do so much to help with their grief. Having learned that Guernsey Sands was able to offer them the practical help and emotional support that I was not equipped to, I looked for a way to get involved as a way of thanking the charity for being there for the people I care about. With around 10 years experience of event management, I look forward to getting involved and helping out with the many events that Guernsey Sands hosts for bereaved parents and families in the island.” Chair Rob Jones was pleased to welcome Chloe, “We would like to thank Chloe for deciding to volunteer for Guernsey Sands Group’s committee. We are very grateful for all the hard work that all our volunteers undertake on our behalf and are sure Chloe will add great value to our committee.” At this same AGM, all existing committee members were re-appointed to their roles.

Committee member and husband shortlisted for Pride of Guernsey 2017 Parents of the Year Award

Guernsey Sands' Communications Officer and husband, Nicole and Rik Bromley, have been shortlisted for the #PrideofGuernsey 2017 Parents of the Year following the stillbirth of their son. Seven nominations were made in the Parents of the Year category and following a public vote, Nicole and Rik have reached the final three. On finding out Nicole said: “The journey we have been on since becoming parents when we found out we were pregnant with our son Freddie has made us stronger, challenged us, made us more grey but ultimately brought us together. Don’t get me wrong losing him has definitely put a strain on our relationship and health, but we are still standing today strong for our children. A few months after Freddie died we needed to direct our grief in some way and becoming involved with Guernsey Sands meant we could help raise awareness and support local families who have lost a baby. When we found out we’d been nominated for Parents of the Year we were over the moon. It felt like a comforting hug. We honestly feel we are like other parents – just getting on with life and whatever it throws at you, but are honoured to have been voted for by the public and then shortlisted to be finalists amongst these brave parents. We are very proud to be part of these awards and would like to thank everyone that voted for us. We are looking forward to attending the awards night when we can represent our two amazing children.” Guernsey Sands would like to wish Nicole and Rik all the best for the night and thank them for helping raise awareness of pregnancy loss and stillbirth here on the island.

Baby Loss Awareness Week 2017

Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place from 9 to 15 October every year. It’s an opportunity for parents, their families and friends to acknowledge and remember their precious babies who have died. It is led by Sands in collaboration with over 40 charities in the UK. Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity: - for bereaved parents, and their families and friends, to unite with others across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives. - to raise awareness about the issues surrounding pregnancy and baby loss in the UK, and push for tangible improvements in services, support, research or policy around bereavement support - to let the public and key stakeholders know what charities and other supportive organisations are doing on bereavement support around pregnancy and baby loss Baby Loss Awareness Week finishes with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on Sunday 15 October upon which the Global Wave of Light event is held. Get involved: - Wear the pin to show your support. To buy yours, click the image below to be taken to the Sands shop. - Wave of Light candle tin can be lit in memory of a loved one. To buy yours go to the Sands shop. - Guernsey Sands Wave of Light online event is being held at 7pm on Sunday 15th October within our Guernsey Sands Community Facebook Group and can be attending from the comfort of your home. - Guernsey Sands Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Walk is being held from 10am on Sunday 15th October from Portelet Kiosk to the Fairy Ring and back. - Baby Loss Awareness Twibbon can be added to your profile picture to show your support - Break the silence of #babyloss. This could be by telling a friend about Baby Loss Awareness Week, talking about your experience, wearing a Baby Loss Awareness pin and/or using the specifically designed social media images on your website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, work intranet or noticeboard. For more information go to https://www.guernseysands.org.gg/news/baby-loss-awareness-week-2017/

Baby Loss Awareness Week 2018 Launches in Guernsey

Guernsey Sands will be hosting a Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Walk to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby death in Guernsey during Baby Loss Awareness Week 2018 (9th to 15th October). The national awareness week, now in it’s 16th year, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families and friends, to acknowledge and remember babies’ lives and break the silence around pregnancy, and baby loss. Guernsey Sands is inviting local people who have been affected by the death of a baby to join them to remember their babies at their Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Walk on Sunday 14 October at 10am. All those wishing to attend should meet at Portelet Beach Kiosk from 9.45am to set off walking to the fairy ring. At the fairy ring bubbles will be blown and shells/pebbles will be decorated commemorating the babies. If you would like to decorate one in advance, please bring it with you. A selection of shells and pebbles will be provided, along with pens for writing names and messages if you wish. All attending will then walk back to the kiosk for refreshments. Children and dogs are welcome. October 15 culminates with the global Wave of Light at 7pm when people across the world light a candle for an hour and join others remembering the babies who lit up their lives for too short a time. Guernsey Sands is holding an online Wave of Light event within their supportive community group for those wishing to take part in this global event from the comfort of their home. If you would like to take part in this online event, go to the Guernsey Sands Community Facebook Group for more information. Rob Jones, Chair of Guernsey Sands Group, said: “We hope that our remembrance walk will spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies.” Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is a unique opportunity for parents to commemorate their babies who died, and I hope the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Walk will help bereaved families in Guernsey feel less isolated and alone in their grief. “Pregnancy loss or the death of a baby is a tragedy that affects thousands of people every year. It is devastating for parents and families and it’s vital they get the bereavement support and care they need, for as long as they need it.” Anyone affected by the death of a baby in Guernsey is welcome to join their regular community meets. The next Guernsey Sands Community Meet is on Tuesday 16 October 7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Stephen’s Community Centre Meeting Room. Those wishing to attend can just turn up on the night for a cup of tea and a chat. For further information, please call 07781 103435 or email guernseysands@gmail.com.

Guernsey Sands Memorial Garden Restoration Project

Guernsey Sands Memorial Garden can be found in Foulon Cemetery and is a place for reflection. The garden is currently undergoing a restoration project to revive, preserve and rejuvenate the area. Guernsey Sands are working with the States of Guernsey to finalise the work and are keen to hear from volunteers interested in helping with the final stages of the project.

Guernsey Sands Befrienders

Are you interested in becoming a Guernsey Sands Befriender and playing a vital role in offering support to bereaved families on Guernsey? Many of us know first hand how much comfort and support a Befriender can give. The reassurance of talking to someone else who has been affected by the death of a baby and who is nearby to phone or to meet is invaluable. However, befriending is an emotionally demanding role so at least one year should have elapsed since your own baby's death. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a befriender and the training involved, please contact guernseysandsbefrienders@gmail.com or call our dedicated mobile 07781 103435. More information can also be found on the Sands website - https://www.sands.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-sands/become-befriender

Guernsey Sands Committee Members

Guernsey Sands are keen to hear from volunteers that are interested in joining the committee and helping support bereaved families on Guernsey. For more information please contact Chairmain Rob Jones on guernseysands@gmail.com or call our dedicated mobile on 07781 103435.

Guernsey Sands Lights of Love Service

7.00-8.30pm St Saviour's Church Guernsey Sands is holding its annual Lights of Love service on Friday 7 December from 7.00pm at St Saviour's Church. This Christmas service is for all who have been deeply touched by the death of a child, at any age or stage of the child’s life and is an opportunity to honour the loved ones no longer with us, before we celebrate Christmas. This candlelit service by Reverend Linda Le Vasseur includes Christmas carols, readings, musical entertainment, candle lighting, memorial roll call and tag hanging in honour of your loved lost one and a few mementos of the evening followed by a light refreshment. Children are welcome This is a multi denominational service. Please email if you would like a tag hung in your absence and any baby names to be included in the memorial roll call to guernseysands@gmail.com. If you are interested in helping organise the event or do a reading please email guernseysands@gmail.com.