A place for precious memories: Fundraisers welcome opening of Bereavement Suite

Families who experienced the heartbreak of baby loss have helped to shape and support the opening of a new Bereavement Suite at University Hospital, Coventry.

The dedicated space, built away from the Labour Ward, offers a quiet and compassionate environment for mothers, partners and families following the death of a baby.

Soundproofed to the highest possible level and able to be accessed through a separate entrance, it gives families privacy and dignity at an incredibly difficult time.

UHCW Charity supporters raised funds for furniture, artwork, soft furnishings and other touches to make the rooms more comfortable.

Among those who supported the project are Emma and Jordan Fellows, who raised £18,000 after experiencing the grief of losing twins Freddie at 22 weeks and Frankie just 13 days short of his due date.

“I’m glad they’re open,” said Emma. “They’re nice and tranquil and hopefully they’ll give families a lot of peace and time with their babies.

“I think it’ll have a positive impact on a lot of families because they’ve got a lot of space. They can’t hear other babies, there’s no noise from the ward; they can just make quality memories.”

Ceri and Billy Key also played a major part in supporting the appeal after losing their baby Rufus due to a silent placenta abruption and HELLP syndrome, a rare life-threatening condition that can affect pregnant women. Since then, they have raised £25,000 for UHCW and provided CuddleCots to hospitals across the region.

Ceri said: “It’s so important to get those precious moments as a family. I know that, after losing Rufus, being able to look back on those memories and photographs of the times we shared together have been really helpful in helping me to grieve and to remember him.

“I’m super proud of all the hard work everybody’s put into opening these two bereavement rooms, I think they look fantastic. We hope they never need to be used, but I know that if families do have to sadly say goodbye to their baby, this is a much more appropriate and kinder environment in which to make those memories.”

After her daughter Aria died from a rare condition called Non-immune late onset Hydrops Fetalis (NIHF) just a few hours after she was born in March 2024, Miesha Virdi was inspired to raise more than £4,700 to support other families.

She said: “From my own experience I realised how important it was to feel like you are in a safe environment and somewhere where people understand.

“To have these extra spaces is such an asset for the hospital. Even though it’s one of the hardest experiences, you really treasure your memories with your child.”

The Trust is deeply grateful to every family, friend, colleague and supporter who has fundraised, donated or helped to make the Bereavement Suite possible.