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“When we had Abigail we only had two or three hours with her, the Abi Cot allows people to have two or three days if they wish.” David Ward, charity co-founder.
About
We are a baby loss charity, our aim is to improve the care given around stillbirth and neonatal bereavement. With one in every 200 babies being stillborn (around 14 stillborn and neonatal deaths per day in the UK), Britains figures are among the worst in the developed world.
We provide care and support to families who have suffered a bereavement, as well as education for healthcare professionals directly involved with caring for bereaved parents. Our fundraising pays for specialist midwifery bereavement training courses and the provision of Abi cooling cots to maternity units, to allow parents to spend additional time with their baby. We also work with hospitals to advise on the sensitive layout and creation of bereavements suites that provides parents privacy and locates them away from maternity wards. This year we have also seen the launch of our specialist baby loss counselling programme which funds sessions to help bereaved families once they’ve returned home.
Abigail’s Footsteps was founded by Jo & David Ward in memory of their daughter Abigail Rose Ward who was stillborn at 41 weeks. Abigail’s Footsteps achieved charitable status on the 18th September 2012, registered charity number 1149005. The Deafening Silence is released and the Royal Society of Midwives supports by circulating to all 27,000 of its registered midwives. The Deafening Silence is awarded two Gold’s at the ‘IVCA Awards’ and gains global media coverage, raising awareness of stillbirth. Charity gains accolade of Care Charity of the Year Award at the ‘Kent Charity Awards’ and the first Abi cooling cot is delivered. Named Kent Charity of the Year and the opening of Abigail’s Place, a dedicated bereavement suite at the Medway Maritime Hospital. HRH Countess of Wessex visits Abigail’s Place and commends the team on their dedication and good work. Launched our specialist baby loss counselling programme with Naomi Marston from Lifecare Counselling and charity Ambassador. Began to develop and roll out our funded bereavement training programme. Delighted to receive just under £300,000 from the Big Lottery Community Fund, to help support our programmes for 3 years.
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We would like to keep you updated with latest news about our work and how you can help support us through fundraising & events.Â