Baby Loss Awareness Week - Service of Reflection 2025

Baby Loss Awareness Week is now in its 23rd year. It presents an opportunity for communities to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss and to give anyone touched by these experiences a safe and supportive space to share and feel that they are not alone.

On Thursday 9 October, Lead Chaplain, Rev’d Elizabeth York, will lead a short service of reflection in the Chapel (EHB 208) for anyone affected by the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, whether recently or historically. Refreshments will be available after the service in the Innerspace (EHB 217).

The Chapel will remain open until 5.30pm as a quiet reflective space. Chaplains will be available for support following the service and throughout the afternoon.

Additionally, ongoing bereavement support from chaplaincy is offered through 1:1 conversations with chaplains, and through the forthcoming Bereavement Journey course, beginning 27 October. More information can be found on the Chaplaincy events webpage.

Baby Loss Awareness Week culminates with the global “Wave of Light” on 15 October, when families across the world will light a candle at 7pm local time and leave it burning for at least one hour to remember all babies that have died too soon. To join the virtual Wave of Light, take a photo of your candle and post it to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #WaveOfLight at 7pm local time.

To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, the university will be lighting up the fountain in pink and blue.

SANDS Ribbon Display for Baby Loss Awareness Week: Staff and students are invited to participate in a Ribbon display, an initiative organised by the charity SANDS, located in the gazebo within the Garden of Remembrance between 9 – 15 October. This special, quiet, and reflective space is for dedicating a ribbon in memory of a much-loved baby. Whether baby loss is something you’ve experienced personally, or you know of someone who has, all are welcome to participate in the display.

A box of ribbons and pens will be placed in the gazebo. If you would like a Chaplain to accompany you to the display, please email chaplaincy@lboro.ac.uk.