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Remembrance ceremony to take place during Baby Loss Awareness Week
Part of my voluntary PR and communications support was provided to former Gloucestershire counselling charity, Footsteps Counselling & Care. I was the driving force behind the creation of an inclusive baby remembrance ceremony which took place in 2021 and 2022. Sadly, the charity was forced to close in late 2023, but I am proud of the legacy that it has left. My involvement included writing the press releases for both events, social media management, supporting the writing of the ceremony itself, briefing a photographer and being interviewed on regional radio on two occasions. The website and all associated content is sadly now lost, but this article which I submitted to 'In Your Area' remains.
Footsteps Counselling and Care is due to hold its second annual event aimed at supporting those affected by baby loss in the county and beyond.
The charity, now in its 10th year, is once again organising Snowdrops, A Baby Remembrance Ceremony during national Baby Loss Awareness Week, which takes place this year between Sunday, October 9, and Saturday, October 15, following positive feedback about last year’s event.
The short, non-religious ceremony has been organised by charity volunteers, some of whom have personal experience of baby loss, and will be led by a professional celebrant. Anyone of any belief is welcome to attend, remember and reflect.
The idea for the ceremony initially began with Footsteps volunteer and board advisor, Rachael Duggan, whose daughter Florence was stillborn at Gloucester Royal Hospital in 2015.
Rachael said: “We received so much positive feedback from people who came along last year who could see the thought, love and care which had gone into creating it.
"One person commented that it was the first time they’d been provided with a safe place and time to remember their baby, who had died in pregnancy. This is exactly what we hoped to achieve, and we are honoured to be able to offer that for people again.”
Footsteps Counselling and Care’s chief executive, Marianne Green, said: “I am so pleased Footsteps Counselling and Care once again has the opportunity to share with those touched by pregnancy or baby loss.
"Parents tell us how important it is that they find a way to remember their baby in a way that suits them and it’s a privilege to be able to help them do that.”
The ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 13, starting at 7pm at The Walls Club in Barnwood, Gloucester as well as being streamed online via the charity’s Facebook page.
The ceremony will last around half an hour and refreshments will be available afterwards. Professional support will also be on hand from qualified volunteers for anyone who feels they would like to talk to someone.
More information on how to book places can be found via the charity’s Facebook page or by visiting the Footsteps Counselling and Care website [now closed]