Tag: bereavement

COVID-19 Day of Reflection to bring the nation together to remember the loss and sacrifices of pandemic

Six years on, communities across the country will come together to reflect on sacrifice and loss during the pandemic

  • Events, activities, and services are being held across the UK to commemorate the COVID-19 Day of Reflection
  • Ceremonies, concerts and walks are amongst events organised by communities across the UK to mark the sixth annual COVID-19 Day of Reflection. 

On Sunday 8 March, the nation will reflect and come together to remember those that lost their lives and to honour the tireless work and acts of kindness shown by many during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Day of Reflection offers a chance to pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers, researchers and all those who volunteered a helping hand during the pandemic. The events also recognise that many are still feeling the impacts of the pandemic, for instance those with Long Covid or those who are immunocompromised.

Events, gatherings and commemorations are taking place across the country, including:

  • A day of quiet reflection at the National Covid Memorial Wall in London. The Friends of the Wall are hosting a short ceremony, which will include the placing of a wreath and the observation of minute’s silence at midday.
  • Royal Voluntary Service is arranging Time to Reflect tables within its services, where anyone is welcome to drop by for shared moments of reflection and to write personal messages or thanks to volunteers.
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council will host a COVID‑19 Day of Reflection event at the Ynys Hywel Covid Memorial Woodland, with an informal guided walk, a minute’s silence, and tea and coffee afterwards at Ynys Hywel Farm.
  • Memory Stones of Love are hosting a remembrance event at Belfast City Hall. The event will feature live music, poetry, as well as reflective speeches.
  • The Care Workers’ Charity has created and maintained an online Thank You Wall, giving people the opportunity to write a tribute or thank you to anyone working across social care including those in frontline care roles, managerial roles, administrative roles, maintenance roles, and more.
  • The Covid 19 Families Scotland gathered at the Sails Sculpture in Glasgow Green at 11.30 for a minute’s silence at midday yesterday (Saturday 7 March).
  • The Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) is hosting a community-led event at the Manchester Monastery. It brings together Black community and faith leaders, healthcare professionals, Black-led organisations and local people through a memorial service, wellbeing and creative activities, storytelling, and reflection.

Culture Minister Baroness Twycross said: “Whenever I walk along the National Covid Memorial Wall, I’m struck by the 250,000 hand-painted hearts that stretch for half a kilometer. It is a powerful tribute to loved ones who will not be forgotten.

“The pandemic impacted everyone, up and down the country. It touched us all, and the impact of Covid remains. 

“We now have the opportunity to come together as a nation to remember the quarter of a million lives lost. We also pay tribute to those on the front line during the pandemic, who made enormous sacrifices, day in, day out, to keep the British public safe – whether in health and social care, education, policing, transport or other front-line services.

“I encourage everyone to mark this day in a way that feels right for them, whether attending a community event or taking a quiet moment of reflection at home.”

Chair of the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, Baroness Morgan said: For so many across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic left a legacy of grief and loss that is still carried today. Everyone lost something. 

“This year’s COVID-19 Day of Reflection is an opportunity for us all to pause and remember the lives lost because of the pandemic, recognising the efforts and sacrifices of frontline workers, as well as the volunteering and community spirit we saw and the contribution of the scientific community.”

This follows the Government affirming its commitment to the COVID-19 Day of Reflection as part of a broader commemorative programme that was announced last year. 

The programme also included commitments to preserve the National Covid Memorial Wall, create new commemorative green spaces for reflection with NHS Charities Together and Forestry England, and launch a new fellowship programme focusing on natural hazards and resilience as part of the UK Research and Innovation Policy Fellowship programme.

As part of this programme, Covid Commemoration webpages have also been established, which include a series of oral histories, education materials and details on memorials across the UK. 

St Columba’s: Waterfront Art Walks

Have you experienced loss in the past two years? Join us for gentle, creative walks, designed especially for those navigating grief.

Together, we’ll explore the local landscape through art-making, reflection and connection. ​

Facilitated by Caledonia Funeral Aid’s Emma Ritchie and St Columba’s Hospice’s community artist Isla Macleod, you will be warmly welcomed to share space with others who understand and find comfort in nature and community.

Stronger parental leave rights to give millions of working families the “security they deserve”

New day one rights to parental leave set for April

  • Over 18 million workers across the UK to benefit from stronger protections at work, with most insecure workers set to gain the most.   
  • New day one rights from April confirmed for parental leave, whilst bereaved partners set to gain further rights to paternity leave. 
  • Changes create more secure jobs and raise living standards, ensuring economic growth is felt by working people in every part of the UK.   

Millions of workers who were previously denied time off for the birth of their child will become eligible for new day one rights to parental leave from April, through measures being laid at Westminster today (Monday 12 January). 

The changes, which stem from the recently passed Employment Rights Act, will see parents no longer be forced to make the heart-wrenching choice between being there for the first weeks of their child’s life or going back to work to avoid losing their job.  

An additional 32,000 more dads per year will be able to access Paternity Leave immediately, as a mother would with maternity leave.  

This comes as the Government continues its Parental Leave and Pay Review, which will assess the whole system – from maternity and paternity leave to shared parental leave – to see how it can work better for parents and employers.  

Around 390,000 people are estimated to be out of work due to caring responsibilities but want a job, including parents. The reforms to parental leave include the right to take Unpaid Parental Leave from the first day in a new job, giving a further 1.5 million parents more flexibility to share caring responsibilities.

If even 1% of those out of work were able to take up a part-time job as a result of this move, it could boost economic output by around £150m a year. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, working people were left without the basic rights and security they deserve. That ends now.

“The changes we’re bringing in will mean every new parent can properly take time off when they have a child, and no one is forced to work while ill just to make ends meet. This is about giving working families the support they need to balance work, health and the cost of living.

“We’re delivering a modern deal for workers. Stronger sick pay, parental leave from day one, and protections that put dignity back at the heart of work. Because when we respect and reward those who keep Britain running, we build a stronger economy for everyone.”

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “No one should have to worry about whether they can take time off when their baby arrives, or lose pay simply because they’ve fallen ill.   

“Our improvements to sick pay and parental leave are about giving workers and their families the security they deserve. They will ensure our drive for growth reaches everyone through providing secure, fair paying jobs and giving support to people when they need it most.”

Following campaigning from individuals such as Aaron Horsey, a new Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave will also be introduced from April, providing up to 52 weeks of leave for fathers and partners who lose their partner before their child’s first birthday. This fixes the previously unfair system where bereaved partners had to rely on the compassion of an employer in order to be granted time off to grieve and care for their child. 

Aaron Horsey, campaigner for Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave, said: “Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave ensures that new parents and their employers have a clear route for support at one of the most difficult moments imaginable. It gives them the time and space they need to grieve, care, and begin to rebuild their lives with dignity. 

“By embedding this protection in law, it shows how listening to lived experience can lead to practical, compassionate change that will support families for generations to come.”

Analysis published last week showed that over 18 million workers are set to benefit from the Government’s wider Plan to Make Work Pay, with it particularly supporting the lowest-paid workers, those in insecure jobs, and people facing unfair treatment at work.   

The benefits in the Employment Rights Act significantly outweigh the costs. By restricting exploitative practices like unscrupulous fire and rehire, and giving more workers access to flexible working and guaranteed hours contracts, this country will see improved worker wellbeing, boosted productivity, and a more level playing field for employers. This is all worth billions of pounds per year and is expected to deliver a small yet positive impact on economic growth. 

The government is also bringing in changes to ensure up to 1.3 million additional workers in lower-paid or part-time roles are able to access Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and make sure everyone can access it from the first day of illness.   

This is a substantial shift from the former three-day wait for SSP to kick in, which left people working whilst ill risking increased long-term sickness, one of key factors draining British businesses and the wider economy. 

By improving the quality of work and ensuring that everyone has job security when it matters most, the Government is delivering on its mission to drive growth that is felt by everyone. 

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “The Employment Rights Act will deliver vital common-sense reforms for millions of people across the country – including sick pay for all workers and better leave for parents.  

“Britain will now be brought into line with other countries where workers already have better protections. And crucially, the legislation will give working people the higher living standards and secure incomes that are needed to build a decent life. 

“Good employers will also welcome these changes – the Act protects them from competitors whose business models are built on low-paid, insecure employment.” 

Simon Kelleher, Head of Policy and Influencing at Working Families, said: “Day-one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave are a positive step forward. Removing the 26-week qualifying period means parents can change jobs without losing essential leave entitlements, something we know has held many people back and can trap families in roles that no longer work for them. 

“To build on this progress, we are looking forward to continuing our engagement with the Government’s ongoing Parental Leave Review to ensure all parents can access a meaningful period of leave.”

Niall Mackenzie, Acas Chief Executive, said: “It can be hugely stressful if a worker is not paid during an illness or dealing with a major life upheaval like a birth or bereavement.  

“These new measures give greater protections for working people that get ill, and create capacity to handle unpredictable moments when they need it the most. Reducing stress and anxiety for staff can also help support good relationships with employers and support business growth.”

Mental Health Foundation: Finding The Light

COPING WITH GRIEF AT CHRISTMAS

Christmas is often portrayed as a season of wall-to-wall joy and celebration. But for those of us who have lost loved ones, this season can sometimes feel heavy and complicated. 💜

Our CEO Mark reflects on his own journey with grief at this time of year and offers tips for those who may be struggling during the holidays.

Read the blog now: https://shorturl.at/USg13

#GriefAwarenessWeek

#MentalHealthAwareness

#Wellbeing

#GrowingWithGrief

#NGAW

#NGAW25

Old Infirmary to host remembrance lighting ceremony

Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, part of The University of Edinburgh, is joining forces with Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB) to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary with a Tree of Light installation honouring families supported by the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The installation will be housed at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, the contemporary café restaurant located in the University’s Futures Institute, at the former site of Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary, and will form the centrepiece of a special lighting ceremony on Saturday 29 November, creating a heartfelt moment of remembrance for families who have experienced the loss of a baby and offering a place of comfort at a time of year that can be especially difficult.

The free event, scheduled for 15:30, will welcome those who have had experiences at the Neonatal Unit – from children to their family and friends. 

For many, the holiday season is a time of warmth and togetherness, yet it can also bring reflection and grief for loved ones lost. For families who have experienced the loss of a baby, the Tree of Light will stand until early January as a symbol of remembrance and healing.

With 1 in 8 babies requiring the Neonatal Unit’s support, it is hoped that the funds raised through this event will enable SSCB to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, support continued neonatal staff training and provide essential support to families during challenging times.

Tracey Ritchie, Assistant Head of Catering Operations, expressed her pride in hosting this event: “At Canopy, we’re proud to create a warm, welcoming space where people can relax and feel cared for.

“Being based in the former Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital makes hosting this event especially meaningful. We know this time of year can be emotional, and we’re honoured to offer Simpson’s families a place to pause, reflect and remember.

“Having the Tree of Light here, in a building so deeply connected to the charity’s past, feels like a fitting way to mark their 40th year. We’re delighted to host it and look forward to supporting Simpsons Special Care Babies in the months ahead.”

Those interested in supporting this cause can donate to SSCB through their website.

Free tickets must be booked in advance through the charity’s website.

X / Twitter: @SSCBcharity
Instagram: @simpsons_special_care_babies
Facebook: SimpsonsSpecialCareBabies

Remembering your child

Join us for the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People’s Memorial Service on Sunday 30 November.

Doors open 14:15 at Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Edinburgh.

A gentle space for reflection, open to all. Refreshments provided.

Details: https://children.nhslothian.scot/memorial/

Memorial Book

A Memorial Book is kept in the Sanctuary at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. If you would like to have a page created in memory of your child, please contact the Chaplain or Spiritual Care team. Please also feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more about emotional and bereavement support for families.

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary offers space for quiet reflection, prayer or meditation with access to a landscaped courtyard which has a labyrinth of large stones. The Sanctuary can be found on the ground floor of the RHCYP, next to Castle Mey Ward. Ritual washing facilities are available.

For more information visit the spiritual care page.

Memorial Service

There is an annual Memorial Service to remember children who have died, held in Edinburgh on the last Sunday in November every year. You are welcome to attend with family and friends of all ages.

Spiritual Care Support

Chaplains are available to offer support to people of any faith or no faith who have experienced the death of a child. Get in touch by telephone or by e-mail:

@LothianChildren

A community group for families effected by suicide say art can be ‘empowering’ for people dealing with mental health challenges

With Friday 10 October marking World Mental Health Day, community group, Lothians Speak Their Name, have shared the ‘powerful’ effect that art has had since the passing of their loved ones.

A recent survey by the National Galleries of Scotland found that 84% of total visitors to the galleries felt their visit had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

Co-director of Lothians Speak Their Name, Sue Henderson, says she has seen and experienced first-hand the positive impact art can have on mental health.

The group, which was originally set up to create a quilt in memory of people who have died by suicide in Edinburgh and the Lothians, have been regularly visiting exhibitions and displays at the National Galleries of Scotland ever since.

Having visited for almost a year, Sue shares how it has been an incredibly valuable experience for helping the group to navigate their loss.

Sue said: “We have loved coming to the galleries so much, for some it has been powerfully beneficial.

“The tours, led by Duncan Robertson at the National Galleries of Scotland, are brilliant, for that short time it allows people to just disconnect from all the pain of their grief. It gives a moment of distraction.

“There are people in our group who never came to the gallery before, they didn’t think it was for them, but to see the impact it has on them is just incredible. Whether listening to the amazing stories of the art or just getting lost for a moment, it really can have healing powers.

“Seeing the effect it has on members of the group is so striking. One woman who lost her son to suicide, got completely lost in the art and it gave her a moment of relief from the day to day pain.

“I had never seen it be so demonstrable before, the power of art and how it can offer a distraction from the worst imaginable grief. People in the group have shared how the art can take them out of themselves and what a beautiful distraction it is.”

Art plays a significant role in enhancing mental health by providing therapeutic benefits, fostering emotional expression, and promoting overall well-being. It has been proven that art can evoke feelings of joy, nostalgia or even sadness, which can be therapeutic for individuals dealing with mental health challenges.

Over the past 20 years research on the impact of the arts on health has been growing and in 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report called ‘What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?’.

The report looked at over 3000 studies from around the world which concluded that the arts play a major role in preventing and managing health. It identified the contribution that the arts may have in promoting good health and health equity, preventing illness, and treating acute and chronic conditions across the life-course.

This has launched further studies by WHO and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in 2023 on the health benefits of the arts. As well as the Lancet Global Series Photo Essay which findings re-iterate the crucial importance of creativity within the sphere of health, and the evidence-based health benefits catalysed by imagination.  

Research by the John Hopkins University School of Medicine even found that spending just 30 minutes in an art gallery once a month could extend your life expectancy by 10 years.

Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement at National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘We are fortunate that we get to see the positive effect that art can have on people every single day in the gallery.

“But we know, and research shows, that art can do more than just put a smile on our faces, it can have real lasting impact on overall mental and physical health.

“We regularly welcome groups supporting people living with dementia, addiction recovery groups, health and wellbeing groups, mental health communities and so much more.

“It is important that art is considered holistically as a tool that can be used for early intervention and social prescribing in health, education and social care sectors.

“The power of art is truly incredible, and we are so delighted to have groups like Lothians Speak Their Name feel that in our galleries.’

Sue shared how the group have benefited from using art as a tool to connect with other people who are going through similar experiences. Brought together to make the memorial quilt, 49 people have made squares in memory of their loved ones, which hold the stories of their loves and lives.

As well as creating this beautiful memorial, it has brought people together as a community, where they’ve found support and friendship.

Sue added: “Our group was born out of the idea of making a quilt which remembers those we loved. Each square would represent someone in a positive way who was loved and lost, whether it included the things they loved or a fond memory of them.

“Some people in the group had never done anything like this but everyone felt how therapeutic it was to focus on something positive about their loved ones lives.

“There is something about being involved in a group activity together, whether creating the quilt or visiting the galleries. In the group everyone has experience of loss but that wasn’t the always the focus when we got together, the focus was also on creativity.

“There was never any pressure to talk about our losses. But what we found was that when everyone was distracted making their squares or looking at the art, conversations happened a lot more easily because the art was offering something else to focus on at the time.

“Often memories come with nothing but pain, but using art and creativity allowed everyone to remember the things they loved about the person, or to remember the good times.

“There are of course people who would come along, and they would never talk about their loss and that was okay too, because they still got to be in a room of people who understood what they were going through and that was support enough. They could come along and just immerse themselves in the task of creating the square.

“It was after we started making the squares that we reached out the galleries, and they offered us tours of exhibitions and displays. This just opened a whole new level of what we were doing. Some members of the group got really immersed in the visits and seeing the art offered inspiration.

“People have re-discovered their creative side and found a way to express themselves.

“Whether seeing or doing art I do believe it has a healing power. The fact we get to see the positive effect it can have on people is what I love most about this, it is an absolute privilege. So, I do really believe that art can be empowering for people dealing with mental health.”

The completed quilt has been touring around various locations in hope is that the individuals and lives it remembers will inspire viewers to start conversations about mental health and suicide and to reach out if they themselves are struggling.

It is currently one of 11 quilts on display at an exhibition in the Houses of Parliament in London.

If interested in getting involved in creating a square, please contact:

 lothianspeaktheirname@gmail.com

As well as running regular tours for groups such as Lothians Speak Their Name, National Galleries of Scotland also warmly invites community groups, care homes and charities to book free visits to the galleries at a time that suits them.

Activities include guided tours of the collection and exhibitions, online art discussions, dementia-friendly sessions with specific themes, and bespoke tours tailored to the needs of each group

Local charity Simba Charity delivers comfort to bereaved families with support from delivery partner

Helping families through loss: supporting bereaved parents with compassion and care 

Back in 2005, families who had lost a baby were often sent home from the hospital without anything to acknowledge or honour their baby’s life. Determined to change this, a group of caring midwives and bereaved parents began gifting a small amount of hand-packed Memory Boxes at Simpsons Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh.

What began as a small, heartfelt initiative has since grown into a national registered charity and vital support network, helping thousands of families across Scotland navigate the heartbreak of baby loss.

Honouring every baby, supporting every family

At the heart of Simba’s work is the Memory Box, a handcrafted collection of keepsakes carefully packed by volunteers and each designed for a specific gestational loss.

Each box is unique and includes items such as soft knitted blankets, matching teddies, inkless handprint kits and keepsake charms – many of which are lovingly made by Simba’s virtual craft group of nearly 8,000 volunteers.

The Memory Box is more than just a box; it is an essential tool to help parents to gather as many memories as they can of the precious time that they spend with their baby.

“Every family’s experience is different, and every box we send is unique,” says Vanessa Rhazali, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Simba Charity. “We pour so much care into each one, and take great pride in creating something truly personal. For many families, these boxes become treasured reminders of their baby’s existence and the brief but meaningful moments they shared.

“Helping parents make the most of that precious time – no matter how short – is at the core of everything we do.”

Simba have also supported families by refurbishing and maintaining bereavement rooms in hospitals so parents can spend private and peaceful time with their baby before they must say goodbye. The charity also offers families special places of remembrance at sites across Scotland. These services are complemented by online private support groups, helping families feel supported, connected and less alone in their grief, regardless of how much time has passed since their loss.

Making a real impact

Over the years, Simba’s Memory Boxes have reached thousands of families. But the charity’s impact goes far beyond numbers. At its core, Simba is about helping families honour their babies. 

This is Jenny’s story. She received a Simba Memory Box at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital: 

“Our baby boy William passed away before he was born, when I was 23 weeks pregnant. Going into hospital to deliver our baby, knowing that he was already gone, was the most difficult thing we’ve ever had to do and I was so worried about what to expect.   

“It was made bearable by the compassion of the staff and also by receiving our Simba Memory Box. The memory box gave us something to focus on during those first couple of days – everything in it is so well thought out.

“There is a heartfelt letter from another parent that I read often. The midwives were able to take photographs and add them to our box in the most beautiful little envelope.  My most treasured item is the knitted teddy-after William was born we placed one in his cot overnight and I slept with one.

“We swapped them in the morning and one went with William so that we always have a part of each other. I hope the volunteers that knit these teddies know how cherished they are.  William was real and he was loved, and our memory box helps me cope with his loss every day.”  

A local delivery partner that understands

In 2025, Simba partnered with APC Edinburgh and The APC Network to improve how their Memory Boxes are delivered to bereaved parents across Scotland.

The partnership came about as the charity sought a trusted logistics provider that could offer a more local, reliable and personalised service – one that truly aligned with their mission and values.

Since then, Simba has seen significant improvements in its delivery process, with more streamlined operations and a flexible, hands-on approach that reflects the care and sensitivity each of these deliveries requires.

“The customer service we receive is amazing,” says Jo Dunlop, Office Manager at Simba Charity. “The team at APC Edinburgh is always responsive, thoughtful and willing to help, which gives us real confidence that we’re in safe hands.

“They take the time to understand our mission and get every detail right, because they know these aren’t ordinary parcels. They’re a lifeline for families, and that level of care truly makes all the difference.”

Looking ahead

Simba remains deeply committed to its founding mission: to ensure that every baby is recognised and every family feels supported, no matter when or how their loss occurred. With the continued support from APC Edinburgh and The APC Network, the charity is well-equipped to keep that promise and extend its care to more families for years to come.

Ailsa Hamilton, Sales Manager at APC Edinburgh, commented: “We’re proud to play a small but meaningful role in the incredible work Simba does.

“These aren’t just deliveries; they’re moments of connection, memory and healing for families going through unimaginable heartbreak.

“It’s an honour to support that, and we are committed to standing alongside Simba as they continue to reach more families and provide comfort when it’s needed most.”

Find out more about Simba here: https://www.Simbacharity.org.uk and APC Edinburgh  here: https://www.apcedinburgh.com/ 

While nothing can take away the pain of losing a baby, being able to create memories, no matter how small, can help families hold onto love and begin to heal. It’s never too late to honour your baby, it’s never too late to ask for a Memory Box.

If you have experienced the loss of a baby, however long ago, you are welcome to request a Memory Box. Please reach out to us at memories@simbacharity.org.uk 

Back-to-school moments ‘a heartbreaking reminder’ for families affected by pregnancy and baby loss

Amanda Holden joins bereaved parents backing charity campaign

As thousands of parents share back-to-school snaps of their children, pregnancy research charity Tommy’s is highlighting the heartbreak of ‘missing milestones’ for those who live with the shadow of baby loss. 

Tommy’s supports families affected by pregnancy complications and loss, and its groundbreaking research has helped many bereaved parents go on to bring home a baby after loss.  

Its new campaign features the image of a shadow on a front door, in memory of children who are not here to start the school year. 

Tommy’s Ambassador Amanda Holden is among those sharing the image on social media.

Amanda’s son, Theo, was stillborn in 2011 when she was 28 weeks pregnant. She has previously marked on social media what would have been his milestone moments, including a tribute last year which said: “You would have become a teenager today”. 

Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, said: “The start of a new school year is a proud milestone for so many families, and celebrated quite rightly with shared photos and stories. 

“But it’s important to remember that for those affected by pregnancy or baby loss – including parents, grandparents and siblings – this time of year can be intensely difficult. There is a gap that can never be filled. 

“Our research into pregnancy complications and loss is already saving babies’ lives but our goal is to make pregnancy and birth safe for everyone, so that more families are spared the lifelong sadness of asking ‘what if?’

In a report published earlier this year, the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit estimated that at least 2,500 fewer babies would have been lost since 2018 if the government had achieved its ambition of halving the 2010 rates of stillbirth, neonatal and maternal deaths in England.

That equates to around 100 primary school classrooms left unfilled in England since 2018 because of pregnancy losses that would not have happened if targets had been met. 

Across the UK, half of all adults have either experienced pregnancy or baby loss themselves or know someone who has.

Further Info: https://www.tommys.org/change-lifetime-of-loss

tommys.org

New Sudden and Traumatic Bereavement Service launches across Scotland

CRUSE SCOTLAND AND GRIEVING FAMILY COLLABORATE TO OFFER FREE SUPPORT

Cruse Scotland, the Nation’s leading bereavement support experts, have joined forces with a family-run charity, Lewis Leap, to launch a new support service for children, young people and adults bereaved by a sudden and traumatic death.

Lewis Leap was founded following the tragic death of 13-year-old Lewis Johnson on a family holiday in 2019. The family from Edinburgh wanted to honour the life and spirit of Lewis and help others who unfortunately find themselves facing such a devastating loss under challenging circumstances.

The Lewis Leap Sudden and Traumatic Bereavement Support Service has been shaped by those with lived experience, including some of Lewis’ family members.

This new service was launched at the charity’s annual fundraising event in the Cammo Estate yesterday (Sunday 24 August 2025), surrounded by Lewis’ family, friends and community as well as members of the Cruse Scotland staff and volunteer team.   

Lewis’ mum, Elizabeth Johnson, said, “The impact of Lewis’ death on our family and friends was overwhelming, and we struggled to process what had happened and why it had happened to us.

“The support we so desperately wanted didn’t seem to be available. We committed to work with Cruse Scotland to shape a specialist support service for others to access in the early stages of grief who had experienced a sudden and traumatic death.”

“I’m so proud that the service is named after Lewis, as he was always so kind and generous to friends and strangers alike. Through this service, his selfless spirit lives on.”

Specialist support can be accessed via any of the existing Cruse Scotland routes:

Fiona Arnott-Barron, Cruse Scotland Chief Executive, said, “We are delighted to launch this vital service after three years of hard work and collaboration with Lewis Leap.

“Having members of the Johnson family and many other bereaved people help us shape this support service, which has been extremely valuable in ensuring it will provide the most appropriate support at the right time.

“Although Cruse Scotland had already taken some steps to address the gap in support for people struggling in the early days and weeks following a death, we knew there were still significant gaps for those who had been catapulted into a new and unwelcomed reality following an unexpected and traumatic death.

“For those requiring support with their grief after such a sudden loss, Cruse Scotland is here, and I would like to thank the Johnson family sincerely for their support in making it possible.”

If you need support with your grief, no matter how recent or long ago the death occurred, or your relationship to them, you can find the support that’s right for you at www.crusescotland.org.uk