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My Plea:

Hi everyone. My name is Nicky Rygielski and I am a volunteer Trustee and Treasurer for the charity Sophia Pregnancy Loss Support.

Firstly I wanted to say I am so touched and honoured to be nominated for this award. Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and watch my video.

I helped to set up the charity Sophia Pregnancy Loss Support in 2016.

Following the devastating loss of my baby Ryan in 2011, I know how bereaved parents can feel. I remember those dark times and how lonely you can feel and really wanted to do something to help other parents in the future. Alongside midwives from the local hospital and other bereaved parents, we started a monthly support group for bereaved parents as well as a closed Facebook group where parents can chat online to others who understand how they are feeling. The group grew really quickly and became a registered charity in January 2017.

The charity supports parents in a number of ways. We plan events on days that can be difficult such as pebble painting on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and remembrance services at Christmas. We also send angelversary cards to parents on their chosen day to show that we remember and are thinking of them and their baby. We have recently started to offer Recognition of Life certificates which parents have said provide some comfort when they have not received a birth certificate for their baby.

I am now the treasurer for the charity and spend a lot of time planning how the charity can fundraise and raise awareness of pregnancy loss. We have run lots of events like family fun days, cake sales and even a mud obstacle race! We have also had stands at local carnivals, shopping centres and even business expos to help raise awareness and reach out to parents who may need support. I have also visited companies to raise awareness of pregnancy loss with employees and HR departments so they can support any colleagues who may experience this.

We have used the money we have raised to improve bereavement facilities at our local hospital. This includes creating a sanctuary space outside the bereavement room and funding midwife training. We have also recently renovated a local baby memorial garden to create a special place of reflection for bereaved parents.

I lead the Sophia monthly support groups where bereaved parents attend. It is important to me to create a relaxed atmosphere at these groups and encourage people to open up if they feel they can. I try to approach any topic that the group want to discuss and take away any awkwardness making it okay to discuss difficult subjects. I have to think on my feet on how to respond at times as you never know what people will want to discuss.

I do all of this in my own time in memory of my son. I don’t see it as a job, it’s my life and what I love to do.

Like anyone, I find it really hard to sing my own praises so I’ve included a couple of quotes from members of the Sophia Group who nominated me for this award below.

I’ve also included a video that they made for me which I hope you can take the time to watch by following this link:

“Nicky helps us to have an open and honest discussion and has really managed to make the group feel like an informal get together where everyone supports each other and chats honestly. This is down to her friendly and chatty nature and her sensitivity to the needs of the people who attend. After losing my baby I never imagined a support group would be something I attended but I feel it is a chance to reflect and chat about how I am feeling with others who truly understand. This is definitely due to the way Nicky leads the group in such a relaxed way.”

“Nicky has dedicated a huge amount of time to fundraising for the charity. She donated a cuddle cot to the local hospital a number of years ago and it is lovely to see everyone that comes to the group now being able to say they had so much longer to spend with their babies thanks to this. I know personally this is something we will always be eternally grateful for as it allowed us precious time with our baby girl and this is all thanks to Nicky’s hard work.”

“Nicky’s hard work and dedication has turned a small local bereavement support group into a rapidly growing charity. She has incredible vision in where she wants to take the charity and she has the determination to get Sophia Pregnancy Loss Support there.”

What Other’s Have Said

“Nicky has made a huge contribution to the local baby loss community. She works extremely hard for the charity Sophia Pregnancy Loss Support all in her own time. She leads the monthly support groups where bereaved parents attend. In addition to this nicky has become treasurer for the charity and spends a huge amount of her time thinking of new ways for the charity to fundraise and raise awareness of pregnancy loss. She also attends meetings with the local maternity hospitals to ensure the needs of bereaved parents are met. Nicky attends a variety of events in the local community. This includes awareness stands at shopping centres, carnivals and even business expos. At these Nicky raises awareness of pregnancy loss and offers support to those who need it. She has also given talks to local businesses to help them support workers who have experienced pregnancy loss.”