Held In Our Hearts

That this House recognises the work of Scottish charity Held In Our Hearts in providing baby loss counselling and support to families for over 40 years; acknowledges the trauma caused by baby loss at any stage and the importance of making connections with people able to relate to the overwhelming emotions experienced; notes the range of services provided, such as one to one or couples counselling, peer support, group meetings, pregnancy support and training for healthcare professionals and students; congratulates the charity on their innovative new project Hospital to Home which bridges the gap from clinical to community, provides early intervention, and an opt out rather than opt in approach to baby loss and validates complex and intense feelings at a difficult time when a baby or young child dies; further notes that the project is being piloted in four Scottish Health Board across rural and urban areas; commends the Held In Our Hearts staff, the majority of whom are bereaved parents themselves, on their empathy and hard work in providing support to families dealing with loss; and notes that people should not face baby loss alone and encourages anyone who has been affected by baby loss to reach out for support.