Sands

HOW DO WE HELP?

SANDS is there:

Telephone support - available 24 hours 7 days a week from trained volunteer parent supporters who have themselves experienced the death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death. Please call (03) 9899 0218.

Monthly support meetings - in various locations across Victoria including an Older Loss group for those whose loss was some time ago. A library of books is available at each meeting. Meetings are facilitated by trained volunteer parent supporters who have experienced the death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death.

Currently, support meetings are held in Mt Waverley, Thornbury, Mordialloc and Airport West, with Older Loss Group meeting in Camberwell. Phone the SANDS (Vic) office for details.

Publications - various brochures and booklet Your Baby has Died which addresses important issues for parents after a baby has died, and our new book Our Babies Have Died - a collection of 37 stories written by bereaved parents for bereaved parents. (see Literature and Resources page).

Namegiving Certificates - available for parents to complete with their baby's name, their names and date of birth. It was originally designed for pre-20 week losses, as birth certificates are not issued for these babies, but is available for all parents who would like one. (see Literature and Resources page).

Information leaflets - for families, hospitals, doctors, health professionals, funeral directors and other organisations.

SANDS (Vic) – This brochure explains what SANDS (Vic) is about and what we offer bereaved parents.
Early Pregnancy Loss discusses feelings, creating memories and other information for parents who have experienced a miscarriage.
Facing Subsequent Pregnancy has information about some of the questions parents have about another pregnancy following the loss of a baby.
Father’s Grieflooks at men and grieving, and the different ways men express grief.
Making Decisions gives information about some issues that need to be considered after the death of a baby.
It’s Never Too Late has information for parents whose baby died many years ago.

Full details on the Literature and Resources page.

Quarterly newsletter - provides a source of communication and expression for parents and advertises events and relevant information.

Assisting in research projects - to find the causes of prematurity and death of longed for babies and is a part of the SANDS Australia Research Foundation.

Holding public information sessions - on subjects relevant to the death of a baby.

Information sessions - to health professionals on caring for bereaved families.

Providing hand-made clothing - layettes and quilts for tiny babies available free of charge from the SANDS (Vic) office.

Annual Memorial Service - for parents, families and friends in memory of all babies miscarried, stillborn or has died shortly after birth.

Erection of memorials and conducting dedication services - at communal grave sites for babies, providing a special place for their families to remember them.

Ongoing training and support - for the SANDS(Vic) network of volunteers.

Membership of Victorian Bereavement Support Network - a group of bereavement organisations working together to provide the best support and service possible to families.