sands
London
Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected
by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this
happened and for as long as they need support. Babies are dying every day.
Currently in the UK, 13 families a day suffer the heartbreak of losing their
baby before, during or shortly after birth. That’s around 4,500 babies a year.
And an estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. These numbers are
shocking and show the scale of the problem. Currently, far too many babies die
without scientists, doctors, midwives, or their own parents understanding why.
That’s why we believe research is vital in improving our understanding of how to
save babies’ lives and using that evidence to drive changes in maternity policy
and practice. For more than 40 years, Sands has been here for anyone affected by
pregnancy and baby loss to offer understanding and comfort through its Freephone
helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a
UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups. Sands works in
partnership with health care professionals, trusts and health boards and offers
a range of training programmes and bereavement care resources to ensure that
every bereaved parent and family receives the best possible care wherever they
are in the UK. Sands supports and promotes research to better understand the
causes of baby deaths, improve maternity safety and save babies’ lives. The
charity also raises awareness of baby loss and works with governments, key
influencers and other stakeholders to make reducing the number of babies dying a
priority nationally and locally.
