Crewe baby loss charity creates a special place for families to find comfort

A charity supporting women after baby-loss has unveiled a special place where they can share their grief and remember their tiny lost loved ones.

Cherry Blossom, part of the female-led Her-Place Charitable Trust, has joined with Oxleys Funeral Services in providing a memorial stone at St Mary’s Church in Wistaston.

The aim is for it to be a safe, quiet space where families who have experienced trauma can lay flowers and be with others often many years after their loss.

Charity founder Kate Blakemore, a specialist infant loss counsellor, said: “The loss of an infant is devastating for anyone affected.

“There can be many reasons why infant loss occurs, during or after birth, from a sudden miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination or the neo-natal death of a young baby in the days, weeks or months after birth. Whatever the cause, the loss of a child is a deeply personal and painful experience for anyone to endure.

“Cherry Blossom has supported many women since we established in 2015 and this year we decided to provide a shared memorial stone, offering families a meaningful place to visit, reflect and find comfort.

“We’re deeply grateful to Oxleys for supporting us in this and to St. Mary’s, just round the corner from our base in Wistaston, for being part of this very special effort.”

Oxleys of Crewe and Nantwich supplied the stone and inscribed it with the words:  In memory of the babies we have loved and lost. God bless and keep them safe.

Kirsty Olszewski from Oxleys said: “It was such an honour to donate this memorial stone, a place for families to reflect and remember. Baby loss touches far too many lives, and while no one should have to endure it, we hope this beautiful space offers comfort and remembrance.”

Cherry Blossom offers one-to-one counselling and regular peer group support sessions online.

Earlier this month, during Baby Loss awareness week, Cherry Blossom staged a Service of Remembrance at St. Mary’s on Church Lane for families affected by infant loss.

Kate, a mother-of-three, added: “Some of those attending had suffered loss many years ago. The memory never fades. Cherry Blossom includes counsellors and volunteers who have been there and understand.”

On Saturday counsellors, volunteers and local mums walked from Nantwich to Audlem along the canal to raise money for its work. Proceeds are being collected.

Learning Well Training, a social enterprise led by the umbrella charity Her-Place, works with businesses to support female employees with Understanding Infant Loss in the Workplace training and webinars.

Women who have suffered baby loss and need support are asked to contact referrals@her-place.co.uk or call 01606 557666.

For more on Learning Well training programmes go to www.thelearning-well.com or call 01606 557666.