Providing help and healing after the death of a baby in Plymouth

Alan Catterall:

“Alan went above and beyond during our darkest days, for which I am truly thankful. The last day I was visiting my daughter I was in the women’s hospital when Alan arrived to collect her and I was able to place her in the casket, which was a real comfort to me, knowing I was the last person to hold her.  It was only when I collected my babies ashes that I got chatting to Alan properly and discovered he had also experienced the loss of three babies. He had a clear understanding of our emotions and heartbreak.”

Belle Davies:

“Our first contact with Annabel “Belle” was when we first came home from hospital after Ella’s birth. We had decided we wanted to bring Ella home but we didn’t know how to do this practically. Belle was so lovely and showed such compassion and understanding. Belle arrived at our house with the cold cot, and also a beautiful knitted pink blanket, angel pin and a memory box, provided by Friends of Serenity. We will always remember the difference she made to us as a family, during the absolute worst of times.”

Kerry Shildauer:

“Kerry has shown such great empathy and compassion towards me over the past few difficult months. Most importantly though, despite our open and honest discussions about my thoughts, feelings and experiences, never once have I felt judged for the actions I have taken over the past five years since Finlay died. She makes me feel like she really wants to help me work through my difficulties and that she will walk with me until I feel able to continue this hard journey of grief without her by my side.”

Paul Green:

“The journey many long for, although a sad journey we were able to take our boy home. He went above and beyond on many occasions. Taking me home or arranging for one of his colleagues to take me home when I had been to see our baby, he bathed and dressed Willow for us. He got his hand and foot prints also got two locks of his hair. He helped me and my partner through such a very difficult time.”

Shawn Peel:

“Shawn and his wife Claire were amazing. Shawn took all our anxiety away, he knew who to get in touch with and as soon as Beau arrived back into the hospital he sent a car with two people – one to drive and one to hold our baby and cuddle him all the way back to his Chapel of Rest. Claire looked after Beau for me, she cuddled him, wrapped him up warm, talked to him and made sure she treated him as I would have. Every night before they left they made sure he was ok.”

Sue Dale

“I first spoke to her the day after I lost my 12 day old son Billy , I was in a real state of acute grief and seeking help for my surviving 10 year old son . Sue was a calm voice at the end of the phone who helped and guided me through those first initial few days. My son attends weekly counselling sessions – when he began them he was a scared, lost and angry little boy.  With Sue’s help he is able to talk and remember his little brother fondly and is able to cope with his grief.”

Tracey Harewood:

“Following Billy’s death I phoned her more times than I can remember.  She organised for me to spend some precious time with Billy following his death, memories my husband and I will have for a lifetime. The days when it was too hard for me to go and see Billy, she went and checked on him for me and rang me back to reassure me that he was ok.Those few days following the death of Billy were like a nightmare, a complete blur, but Tracey was there to be my voice, to hold my hand and to guide me.