Ayrshire Baby Loss Support

We offer a range of support and remembrance services to families and individuals affected by the loss of a baby.

Support Meetings - Our main support is provided through monthly in-person support meetings, where trained befrienders are always available to offer a listening ear and peer support. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, rotating between venues in North, South and East Ayrshire. We also hold support meetings aimed primarily at men, which take place every three months in Saltcoats. Support is also available between meetings through email, messaging and telephone contact.

Birthday Remembrance - We offer a birthday remembrance service for families who would like us to remember their baby on their birthday. A beautiful birthday card is sent to the family, and, with their permission, a remembrance message is also shared on our social media pages.

Remembrance Trees - We have several remembrance trees across Ayrshire, including trees at University Hospital Crosshouse and University Hospital Ayr, as well as an outdoor remembrance tree at Corsehill Park in Ayr. Families can have a small personalised plaque placed on one of the trees in memory of their baby.

Memory Boxes - We fund the memory boxes supplied across Ayrshire, helping families to create precious memories of their baby. The boxes contain a range of keepsakes and memory-making items, including hand and footprint kits, ‘heart in their hand’ keyrings, hand-knitted and crocheted blankets, and other special items.

Early Loss Seed Packs - We also provide small seed packs free of charge, particularly for those experiencing an early pregnancy loss who may not have had any contact with hospital services. The packs offer a simple way to create a living remembrance of a much-loved baby.

Christmas Bauble Service - On the first Sunday of December, we hold our annual Christmas Bauble Service. This is a very special and moving opportunity for bereaved families to come together to remember their babies. The service includes stories from bereaved families, readings, prayers, singers and Christmas carols. Families are also invited to remember their little ones by hanging a bauble on one of our Christmas trees.

Awareness Events - Throughout our awareness month in June, we organise a variety of events to raise awareness of baby loss and the support available to bereaved families. This includes our annual Duck Race at Eglinton Park.

During Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW), we hold further events and activities to remember babies who have died and raise awareness of the impact of baby loss. These have included our annual Memory Walk, arranging for local monuments, buildings, businesses and homes to be illuminated in pink and blue, and scattering paper hearts bearing the names of babies who are loved and remembered.

Bereavement Counselling - We fund bereavement counselling for those who feel they need additional support following the loss of their baby.