BLAW (9-15 Oct 2023)
Wave of Light
Now in it’s 21st year, Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) is an opportunity to come together as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.
At SPACE, we recognise that every loss matters, regardless of gestational weeks. Loss is loss - whether that’s through failed IVF, early or later miscarriage, still birth or neonatal loss, or perhaps even the loss of the dream of a family.
That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to join with us in taking part in a global Wave of Light on 15th October.
You can do this by simply light a candle at 7pm (UK time) and leaving it burning for one hour in memory of all those babies who lit up our lives for such a short time.
To help spread awareness, you can also take a photo or video clip of your candle burning and post it to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #WaveOfLight.
But wherever and however you choose to do this, you will be joining a global ‘Wave of Light’ in memory of all the babies who lit up our lives for such a short time.
Remembrance Service at St George’s Hall (Liverpool Women’s Hospital)
The Honeysuckle Bereavement Team at Liverpool Women’s Hospital are hosting their annual remembrance services at St George’s Hall in Liverpool city centre again this year on Tuesday 10th October.
Timings are as follows:
Early service (children welcome) - doors open at 4.30pm with refreshments, service will begin at 5.30pm.
Later service (adults only) - doors open at 7.15pm with refreshments, service will begin at 8pm.
You don’t need to register to attend - just turn up.
Families are also invited to have their baby/babies names included in the service of remembrance - please email honeysuckle@lwh.nhs.uk to request this by Sunday 10th September.
Wave of Light event (hosted by Elsie’s Moon)
Our friends at Wirral-based support charity Elsie’s Moon will also be hosting a family-friendly Wave of Light event for those who would like to mark the Wave of Light gathered in person with others from the baby loss community. It will include crafts, tea, cake and candles.
When: Sunday 15 October
Time: 6-8pm (will include a Wave of Light at 7pm)
Where: Mecure Abbots Well, Whitchurch Rd, Chester, CH3 5QL
Registering is optional, but will help with planning.
Online Wave of Light Event (hosted by Miscarriage Association)
For those who would like to participate in the Wave of Light in a more communal way, The Miscarriage Association will also be hosting an online service at 7pm on Sunday 15th October via Zoom (with everyone logged in to the Zoom by 6.50pm).
The event will be led by their volunteer support group leaders, and is open to anyone to attend (but please register by Wednesday 11th).
You can find out more about it and sign up for the joining details on their website here: Online Wave of Light - The Miscarriage Association
Baby Loss Memory Walk (Miscarriage Association)
This October, the Miscarriage Association will also be remembering all the tiny lives lost to miscarriage, ectopic and molar pregnancy through their new Memory Walk fundraising event.
Taking place on Sunday 15th October – the culmination of Baby Loss Awareness Week – they’re encouraging people to walk 4 miles at 4pm, reflecting the 1 in 4 pregnancies that are estimated to end in miscarriage in the UK, while also raising funds to help people through the heartbreak of pregnancy loss.
Remembrance Services (Saying Goodbye)
National baby loss charity, Saying Goodbye hosts a number of Remembrance Services for bereaved parents in cathedrals across the country - including a number of services being held during October as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week:
9/10/2023 - 7:00pm SG Service at St Albans Cathedral
15/10/2023 - 6:00pm SG Service at Chelmsford Cathedral
21/10/2023 - 11:00am SG Service at Derby Cathedral
22/10/2023 - 2:30pm SG Service at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester
29/10/2023 - 3:30pm SG Service at Bradford Cathedral
You can find more details about what the services involve here: Saying Goodbye Remembrance Services