A great day in County Square, Ashford

We had a great day on Saturday in Ashford's County Square shopping centre raising awareness of baby loss, our charity, and other support available.

We had the chance to talk with many members of the public who wanted to talk about their losses, and lots who were interested to learn more about what we do.

It is always lovely to meet families who have nametiles in the garden, and we had our memory tree which families could add hearts to.

Thank you to Chris, Chris, Beverley and Emma for running this.

Baby Memorial Service - Folkestone

Short notice, but we have just learned of a short Baby Loss service this Monday evening 10 October 2022 in Folkestone, to which everyone is invited, no matter how or when was their loss.

The service will consist of songs, poems, prayers, a chance to reflect and some moments to be still.

It is open to all adults – whatever your faith and whatever your beliefs.

The service is hosted by South Kent Community Church (SKCC), who as part of their community engagement operate a pregnancy crisis service called Options which offers free, unbiased pregnancy crisis support, pregnancy loss support and post abortion support with one of their qualified practitioners.

www.optionsfolkestone.com

We hope to be there with information about the Ashford Baby Memorial Garden.

Baby Loss Awareness Week

The annual Baby Loss Awareness Week runs from 9-15 October and during that week we remember all the babies that have died, while raising awareness of baby loss among the wider community. 

We are not able to hold a Wave of Light this year, but we are supporting the week with:

• A stand in County Square Shopping Centre all day on Saturday 8 October where visitors will be able to write a message on a heart for our memory tree.

• A window display in Willow and Green Funeral Directors in Middle Row, Ashford for the whole week.

• During the week, St Gregory and St Martin Church will be lit up in blue and pink and there will be a small display inside.

• Biddenden Church will be lit in Blue and Pink on 15 October and Smarden Church will also be lit up on that day.

• We are hoping that International House opposite Ashford Station will be lit up in pink and blue but are still waiting for confirmation.

There will be events/services at Rochester Cathedral and at St Gabriel’s Church, KIngshill on 15 October, a remembrance service at Kemnal Park Cemetery on 9 October and a baby memorial service at St Margaret’s, Rainham on Friday 14 October.  Details are on the BLAW website.

During the week, there will be other opportunities to get involved – see https://babyloss-awareness.org/

The BLAW website also has details of the global Wave of Light, an opportunity to join with bereaved parents, families and friends around the globe to commemorate all babies who died too soon.

To join the global ‘Wave of Light’, simply light a candle at 7pm local time on 15 October and leave it burning for at least one hour. This can be done individually or in a group, at home or in a communal space. Wherever you do this, you will be joining a global ‘Wave of Light’ in memory of all the babies who lit up our lives for such a short time.

Post a photo of your candle to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag using #WaveOfLight.

 You can also join Sands for live lighting of the candle on their Facebook at 7pm on 15th of October every year.