The Forget-Me-Not Bereaved Parents’ Focus Group recently hosted a ‘Farm Fun Day’ to bring families together, whose children and babies have sadly passed away before or after birth.
The event was hosted at Streamvale Farm, Dundonald to give children a chance to remember their siblings and play with others who are dealing with the same grief. Trust Midwives, Gynae and Neonatal Nurses attended to offer advice and support throughout the day.
The event was filled with fun helping children make new friends and to give them an opportunity to explore the farm, learn about the animals and take part in a range of farm based activities, including; seed planting and creating beautiful artwork in memory of their sibling/s that have sadly passed. During the day, a ‘Bubbles of Love’ event took place, with one of the parents encouraging everyone to participate in a countdown at 12 noon, when everyone gathered to blow bubbles of love towards the sky to remember their loved one.
A mum who attended the event with her family said, “Our boys had so much fun, while celebrating and remembering their sisters in Heaven. It means so much, although they don’t have memories of their older sisters, they will have memories of having lots of fun with other siblings, all blowing bubbles of love at the same time.
“It is lovely to have time and space to chat with other parents about our precious children in Heaven, while watching our beautiful children playing. It is such a special day in our year.”
Bereavement Midwives, Susan Stitt and Jacqueline Dorrian who organised the event explained, “Our family day is very important for our bereaved families, it is a time when the whole family can come together to spend a fun filled day in remembrance of their baby/sibling that has sadly passed.
“It gives young children a chance to be together and share the memories of their siblings. It helps reduce the stigma attached to child loss and normalises the grief journey. When families look around and see other bereaved families, they feel less alone and can share their journey with people that understand.
“It is such an emotional and special time for everyone to come together to remember their much loved babies. The day ran very smoothly thanks to all the help from our Midwives and Nurses who volunteered for the day and also the staff at Streamvale Farm.”
The Forget-Me-Not Bereaved Focus Group, reaches out to try and help grieving parents and families and provides support to all parents who have been bereaved in the Ulster Hospital. The group provides a forum for parents who have been bereaved through miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of their child. It is an opportunity to discuss what is being done well and also identify areas of service that can be improved.
A Service of Remembrance in memory of children and babies who have died before or after birth will take place on 11 October 2023 in the Stormont Hotel, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. Parents, relatives and friends are invited to attend. A time for the event will be advertised on our social media platforms and in the local press.