The Team Around the Client Magazine

This edition of Team Around the Client is a little different from our others as it coincides with Baby Loss Awareness Week, a collaboration of bereavement charities that aims to offer support solidarity and comfort to everyone whose lives have been touched by the impact of pregnancy and baby loss. Baby Loss Awareness Week is a time for charities to fundraise, share stories, resources and advice. At RWK Goodman, we represent clients who have suffered the devastation of pregnancy and baby loss and it is clear how important accessing the right support is.

We share Clare’s story, a client of RWK Goodman whose daughter was sadly stillborn due to negligent care she received during her pregnancy. Clare bravely talks about the impact on her life and we look at how the compensation helped her at a very difficult time. Clare’s experience reinforces how important it is to find the right support following baby loss. Each loss is unique to the family and the support each family may need is likely to differ. We therefore want this edition of Team Around the Client to focus on some of the support available and how we can better support family and friends following baby loss.

We have the pleasure of sharing the wonderful work Noah’s Ark hospice do to support families who experience baby loss. Hospices can play a very important role in supporting a family through baby loss and this edition looks at the role of ‘The Ark’ and Hospice Midwives who offers strength to families who have suffered baby loss.

We share details of Branch a free WhatsApp peer support group for individuals affected by baby loss and infertility, offering both in-person and online support across the UK. Branch have been running the Branch UK Relay where a symbolic branch has been travelling the length of the UK from the top of Scotland to the bottom of Cornwall – with each bereaved family involved adding a pink, blue or white ribbon in memory of babies lost.

We also look at when an Inquest maybe appropriate following baby loss and consider what an inquest may involve.

We are fortunate to be joined by our wonderful colleague, Keeley Lengthorn who talks about her experience of baby loss and her campaign for George’s Law. She talks with Naomi Marston, counsellor and Ambassador at Abigail’s footsteps and Jack Jeffery Trustee from Abigail’s Footsteps who also experienced baby loss and they discuss how to support someone following baby loss including what not to say.

This year marks the 22nd year of Baby Loss Awareness – a week where we remember and commemorate our much loved and missed babies but also raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss, the importance of bereavement support and the need for improved pregnancy outcomes to save babies lives.

Hannah Blackwell, Senior Associate and Guest Editor of this Edition of the Team Around the Client Magazine.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice helps babies, children and young people with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, and their families, make the most of every day. For those who die young, they do all that they can to bring comfort in their last moments. Divya Anand explores more.

Losing a child is an unimaginable pain that many sadly experience. Nearly 2,000 babies under 12 months old die each year and over 2,600 babies are stillborn causing overwhelming grief for parents and families. Becky Randel investigates the inquest process and provides information for parents and families.

Practical guidance for managers and colleagues of those who have suffered pregnancy or baby loss, to enable you to provide appropriate and helpful workplace support. This training has been developed through close collaboration with our Partner, Keeley Lengthorn.