Name:

Organisation: Zephyrs

Award Category: UK Support Organisation

Sponsored By:

Voting is now closed

My Plea:

Zephyr’s centre supports anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby or child.

Zephyr’s feels like home; a comfortable, calm, quiet oasis on the hospital grounds – a place for parents, siblings, the wider family and staff too, to come together and to belong…

“After the loss of our son due to a rare genetic disorder at 18 weeks gestation, our world was turned upside down with emotions and at times became very lonely. Zephyr’s centre has been a life line, a place to go when we’ve felt lost, overwhelmed, alone and needed support. It’s a place where you can be understood, where you can share all those thoughts that continuously go round your head, it’s a safe space to let it all out and we would like to say thank you to them all.”
Sam and Alex, Mum and Dad to Evie and Ethan

Based at the City Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) and part of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, the project which is funded entirely by donations, was started by Zephyr’s parents Carly and Martin. We work closely with hospital staff from many departments, with local baby loss charities such as Sands, and have an awesome team of volunteers too! We are led by the parents and bereaved families who visit us, always striving to best support those who need us most.

“It’s a really special place, that’s peaceful and gentle, warm and caring. The volunteers and staff are amazing, committed to supporting people when they’re having the hardest times. It’s a great place, that’s making a difference and really supporting bereavement care in Nottingham.”
Nick, Zephyr’s volunteer.

We host bereavement counselling, weekly Open Doors drop in support, creative activities for all ages, walking meet ups, Saturday socials, support for pregnancy after loss too, Zephyr’s also provides a much needed welcoming place for parents to meet consultants and hospital staff for follow up appointments. We have welcomed over 3000 visitors in just under two and a half years!

“Before Zephyr’s, we only had clinical areas to meet bereaved families, many of which were impersonal and sometimes just inappropriate. We are very grateful to the whole team who have enabled this to come about. We signpost families to Zephyr’s all the time and wonder how we ever managed without them.”
Dr Lucy Kean, Service Lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology at NUH.

Zephyr’s dad Martin and mum Carly, who is also Project Manager at the centre, explain why the place exists:

“Grieving the death of our baby, the whole world felt alien, we didn’t know where we belonged. Returning to the clinical wards and waiting rooms only served to make us feel more isolated and broken.

Zephyr’s centre grew out of a recognition that grief is not a disease, nor something to be ‘fixed’ – that those who grieve the death of their baby or child, who need support in their darkest times, or need a place to meet for appointments, should not have to go back to the clinical hospital ward. Quite simply, what bereaved parents need is love…

The centre is a place where talking about our babies and children who have died is encouraged, and where loss is acknowledged, we’re all affected differently, we grieve individually, our experiences are unique – but together, there is a connection.”

“It’s a very calm and comforting place to be, every volunteer and every member of the hospital staff are there to help. Whether babies are lost before they’re born, during or after birth, whether children have died, it doesn’t matter how long ago, someone is there to help everyone when they walk through the door at Zephyr’s.”
Hilary, Zephyr’s Nan and Volunteer

With loving thanks for the kindness, dedication, care and support of so many bereaved parents, hospital staff, Nottingham Hospitals Charity, volunteers, our steering group, friends and family.
It’s such a privilege to be shortlisted listed again… x

What Others Have Said

Carly and Martin have brought zephyrs to grieving parents they no longer have to go back to where they lost their baby /baby’s it’s a beautiful place it’s calming safe place to come Carly and the people that help her offer a loving caring place of support.