Baby Loss Awareness Week is a time to remember the babies who are no longer with us, to honour the families who carry their love every day, and to come together as a community.

For some families, baby loss is something they have experienced recently. For others, it may have been many years ago, but the love for their baby remains just as strong. There is no timeline for grief, no right or wrong way to remember your baby, and no expectation that you should ever simply move on.

A community that understands

Losing a baby can be an incredibly isolating experience. You may find that the world continues around you while yours feels as though it has stood still. You might experience a whole range of emotions, sometimes all at once, or find that certain days, dates and reminders feel particularly difficult.

For families affected by Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13, the journey can bring additional layers of uncertainty, difficult decisions, time spent in hospital and the heartbreak of saying goodbye.

At SOFT UK, we understand that every family's experience is different. We are here to listen, offer understanding and provide support without judgement.

Whether you need someone to talk to, information to help you navigate your experience, or simply the reassurance of connecting with someone who understands, our community is here for you. You do not need to know what to say. You do not need to explain how you feel. And you do not need to be at a particular stage of your grief to reach out.

A new resource for our baby loss community

This year, we have been working on a new resource for our baby loss community. We recognise how important it is for bereaved parents to feel understood, particularly when navigating healthcare settings and seeking support during an incredibly difficult time.

We would also love for this resource to reach the healthcare professionals who work alongside bereaved families, including bereavement teams, midwives and other healthcare professionals.

If you would like a copy of our new resource to share with your local hospital, bereavement team or healthcare professional, please email paige@soft.org.uk.

By sharing information and helping professionals better understand the experiences of our families, we hope to make a difference to the support parents receive when they need it most.

A little light in memory of our babies

We have also been sending out baby loss tealights to members of our community.

Lighting a candle can be a simple but meaningful way to remember a baby. It may be part of a personal moment of reflection, a way to mark a special date, or an opportunity to feel connected to others who are remembering their own little ones.

Symbols of Love: Our new community illustration

One of the projects we have been especially excited to bring to life this year is our Symbols of Love illustration.

We asked our community to share the special symbols that remind them of their babies. The response was incredibly touching, with more than 50 symbols shared with us.

From butterflies, robins and white feathers to stars, rainbows, flowers and woodland animals, every symbol carries its own meaning. We have brought these symbols together in an illustration, created to celebrate the many different ways our community remembers and honours their babies.

Our Symbols of Love illustration is now ready to download!

Alongside the full illustration, we have also created a colouring sheet for you to make your own. You might choose to colour it in memory of your baby, spend time with your family completing it together, or simply enjoy a quiet moment doing something creative.

We would absolutely love to see your finished colouring sheets! If you download and colour yours, please share it with us.