Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025 9 – 15 October
Baby Loss Awareness Week is a time for all communities across Northern Ireland and beyond to come together, remember our much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.
Few experiences compare to the pain of such loss. This week reminds us of the importance of caring for our mental and physical wellbeing as part of the bereavement journey. With the theme “Together, we care,” we honour the strength of our community—supporting ourselves and one another through compassion, connection, and shared understanding.
Across Northern Ireland, many buildings and landmarks will be lit in pink and blue to mark the week. Many hospitals will also host remembrance displays—such as ribbon trees, memory walls, or services of reflection. Please check your local council or Health & Social Care Trust website for details.
Charities such as ARC https://www.arc-uk.org/ Sands https://www.sands.org.uk/ The White Butterfly Foundation https://thewhitebutterflyfoundation.co.uk/ Soft UK https://www.soft.org.uk/ and Tiny Life https://www.tinylife.org.uk/ will hold events throughout the week to remember, support, and strengthen the community of those affected by miscarriage, TFMR, stillbirth, and neonatal loss. Event details can be found on each charity’s website or their social media channels.
Playing a vital role in strengthening this community effort is the Northern Ireland Pregnancy and Baby Loss Charity Collective, which brings together these above organisations and many others who support families affected by all forms of pregnancy and baby loss across the region. By working collaboratively, the Collective raises awareness, shares resources, and amplifies the voices of parents—ensuring compassionate, consistent support at every stage of their journey.
On 15 October at 7pm, families across Northern Ireland are invited to light a candle in memory of babies who died too soon. Wherever you are, you will be joining a global Wave of Light—a moment of reflection and unity. You can share your candle by posting a photo on social media using #WaveOfLight.
Western Trust events for Baby Loss Awareness Week 9-15 October 2025
In support of Baby Loss Awareness Week, two Services of Thanksgiving and Acknowledgment for our babies and children will be hosted jointly by the Maternity and Neonatal teams.
To ensure adequate space is available, please register your attendance at an event via the Eventbrite links below:
- Sunday 12th October 2025 at 2pm in the Lecture Theatre, 2nd Floor, South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen with refreshments provided.
Baby Loss Remembrance Service Tickets, Sun 12 Oct 2025 at 14:00 | Eventbrite
- Sunday 19th October at 2pm in the Guildhall, Derry/Londonderry.
Baby Loss Remembrance Service Tickets, Sun 19 Oct 2025 at 14:00 | Eventbrite
Speaking about Baby Loss Awareness Week Nikita Anderson, Western Trust Childbirth and Pregnancy Loss Specialist Midwife said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week offers families, communities and healthcare professionals a chance to remember babies who have sadly passed away during pregnancy or shortly after birth. It provides a safe and compassionate space for those impacted by baby loss to come together to honor their babies and share their grief.”
“Baby loss awareness week allows us to honor these precious lives that matter deeply and remind parents that they are never alone in their grief. The care parents receive from their surrounding healthcare professionals can make such a difference when dealing with their grief and loss. We are continually trying to improve our bereavement suites/services in both hospitals within the Western Trust in order to improve the care provided to bereaved families in our Trust.
This year, we will also be hosting remembrance trees in each of our three hospital sites at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry/Londonderry; Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex and South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen from the 9th – 15th October to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Joanne Scott, HR Manager for Staff Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at the Western Trust explains: “Our staff regularly care for families who experience pregnancy or baby loss but within the Trust, we know that many of our staff will have experienced this heartbreak themselves. It is hoped that these remembrance trees will provide a place for our staff and our patients, to take a moment to remember their baby alongside other parents and families who know what it is to live with this momentous grief.”
Walk in support of The Miscarriage Association
Following the Service at the South West Acute Hospital, Lead Midwife Brenda McCabe is inviting all staff who have cared for, or personally lost a baby in pregnancy or birth, along with other service user families present, who also has been affected with Baby loss – to join them for a 4 mile walk. The walk will start at the front of the hospital entrance and along the bypass road to the bottom of the Tempo Road and back. This is a 4 mile accessible walk in support of The Miscarriage Association to raise awareness for pregnancy loss under 20 weeks. Everyone is welcome to join the walk to remember your baby or the babies and families you cared for.