Kate Anker, Vice Chair

"My involvement with Sands began in 1989 when in my role as Health Visitor I had an opportunity to meet with parents in the first trimester of their pregnancy. In listening to their hopes and fears of becoming parents I heard, over a period of time, many stories of the pain and devastation of losing a baby. I subsequently trained as a bereavement counsellor with CRUSE, undertook various other studies including training with Nancy Kohner. Most of all I learnt from the many parents that I have supported and continue to support.

As a direct result of a family I was Health Visitor to whose daughter was stillborn I set up the Tunbridge Wells branch of Sands approximately 15 years ago. The group has developed over the years and apart from the support group and befriending we undertake multi-professional training in the local hospitals and are about to start training the South East Deanery of Senior House Officers in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

We are prolific fundraisers and have a bereavement suite at the local hospital the ‘Hope Suite’ named after the daughter of the mum I started the group for.  We also have a beautiful Children’s Memorial Garden, a joint project with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, which was opened in 2006 by Gloria Huniford, as was the Hope Suite in 1999. We are now able as a branch able to commit to the Why17? campaign as we have considerable funds in the bank.

We have an annual remembrance service the first Sunday in October which is always very well attended. This year we are hosting the Sands AGM and conference on the 3rd October.

I retired from the NHS in 2006 having developed from health visiting to become the Paediatric Lead and Children’s Commissioner for the local PCT. Later that year I joined, on a part time basis, Voluntary Action West Kent previously a CVS as their Health Lead. I have just been asked by the PCT to join their Maternity Matters Steering Group.

I remain passionately committed to improving the care for bereaved families, to supporting the staff at Head Office to fulfil their roles and to working with my fellow Trustees and Patrons to realise Sands aims."