How To Help A Stillbirth Charity

When an unborn baby passes away after 24 weeks of pregnancy, it's called a stillbirth. There are approximately 3,400 stillbirths each year in the UK, accounting for one in every 225 births. The loss can be devastating for families, which means it's important that there are support networks in place to help.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A STILLBIRTH CHARITY?

If you want to become part of a support network that helps people during this difficult time, volunteering with a stillbirth charity is a wonderful thing to do. Your efforts could make a huge difference in the lives of grieving parents and families who are suffering from shock and feel overwhelmed.

Time is key in recovering from a stillbirth, but your support and comfort throughout the process can help make things a little easier for families. You may also find yourself picking up some new skills which you can use in your future career, whether that happens to be in the charity sector or not, and you're sure to feel good about helping a family in need.

HOW TO HELP STILLBIRTH CHARITIES

Provide Counselling Sessions

If you're a trained therapist, your skills could be invaluable to a stillbirth charity that offers recovery programmes to parents grieving the loss of their baby. Whether you're helping an individual or a couple, you could play an important role in helping people who are trying to come to terms with their loss.

Help A Support Group

Lots of people find support groups helpful, giving them the chance to talk about their own loss and listen to others who may be at different stages in the grieving process. From putting out chairs to organising sessions, there are plenty of ways to get involved. You could even lead a support group if this is something you'd feel comfortable with.

Become A Befriender

Some people prefer to keep their emotions private. Befrienders can be really valuable here, allowing bereaved families to talk about their feelings in a safe, reassuring environment.

Help Make Memory Boxes

Some stillbirth charities produce memory boxes for parents and families to remember their baby. Time spent helping in a workshop that puts the boxes together is always hugely appreciated, while you may also be able to help from home by knitting blankets to put into the boxes.

Help Out At A Centre

Several stillbirth support charities run centres for families to visit. You could help a centre like this by volunteering to help out with things like admin, greeting guests, making the drinks or cleaning.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER

Some stillbirth support roles can be very emotionally demanding. Don't let this put you off though, as the charity you help should provide the necessary support for you too, to help you cope with your role and any emotions that are attached to it.

WHERE TO GET STARTED

Whether you're looking for information and advice, or you want to help out a stillbirth charity through your volunteering, you can click on the links below to find out more about some of the wonderful UK charities that help in this area.

• Choices Pregnancy Centre
• Footsteps Counselling and Care
• Pregnancy Crisis Care

HELPING DESERVING CAUSES

If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.