Each area of the country is different, with local needs and varying skills amongst the people involved, so there are no hard and fast rules. Below, however, is a guide about the process. It is quite lengthy but please do not be put off!

It is realistic for it to take at least 6 months to reach a point where you are ready to hold your first support meeting.

Please stay in touch regularly with the Group Development Manager, Sue Hale on 0845 6520 443 or groups(at)uk-sands.org.uk. She is there to offer help and support throughout the process

Steps to setting up a new group

1. Contact Group Development Manager
   It is really important that you start by contacting our Group Development Manager, Sue Hale on 0845 6520 443 or sue.hale(at)uk-sands.org. She can provide lots of information, put you in touch with your network convenor and link you with other groups in your area. She can also help you look at your own situation: whether you are ready to take on the commitment and where you will get support for yourself.
   
   
2. Find others to share the work
   It is vital to try and find others who are interested in helping a group set up as to do it alone can be a huge task. If you do not know of anyone then please get in touch as we keep a record of people who have shown previous interest. It may help to post a message on the Sands Forum or put a piece in the local paper. Sometimes the Bereavement Coordinator at the hospital will know of parents who may be willing to help. It is good to have at least 3 or 4 people but they do not all need to be bereaved parents.
   
   
3. Arrange your first committee meeting
   This will be very informal and probably in your home. It is an opportunity for the group to get to know each other and for you to decide what you can offer, which roles you will take and the area/hospitals you will cover and the name of the Group. The roles needed initially are chair, secretary, treasurer and befriender. One person can take more than one role, but is important not to take on too much. It is usual for the befriender to be a parent or close family member. Everyone in the committee must join Sands as a paid member
   
   
4. Befriender Training
   It is important that the befriender attends Sands Befriender Training before the group begins to take calls or hold support meetings. Please contact our Befriender Training Manager, Lesley Dewar to find out details of the next course on 020 7436 7940 or befriendertraining(at)uk-sands.org.
   
   All new befrienders will be offered a mentor who may be an experienced befriender from a nearby group, a network convenor or trustee.
   
   
5. Build a relationship with local hospitals
   It is very important to develop links with local hospitals. They will be able to refer parents to us and may also be of support to the group. The first point of contact is usually the bereavement counsellor/midwife but if there is not one at your hospital then try the Head of Midwifery. It is good to arrange to meet, when you can take in a range of the leaflets and resources Sands provides.
   
   In time you might ask to join the Maternity Services Liaison Committee which looks at the service provided by the hospital.
   
   
6. Open a bank account and organise accounts
   Sands asks that all new groups hold an account with Unity Trust who specialise in charity banking. Please contact Sue Hale on 0845 6520 443 or sue.hale(at)uk-sands.org for an application form. You will also need to have a simple accounting book keeping details of money received and spent, with all receipts.
   
   
7. Raise some money
   A small amount of funds is usually needed to get started as you may have to pay for a venue for the support meetings. You may like to buy some books and resources for the group or perhaps the local hospital.
   
   There are lots of ideas for fundraising in the section 'Get involved'
   
   
8. Find a venue for your Support Meetings
   A support meeting needs to be a place which is sensitive to parents and easily accessible. Many groups use local halls or community centres. Some meet in parent's houses.
   
   
9. Set up Business Meetings
   It is important that the people responsible for the organisation of the group meet on a fairly regular basis, usually every 2 months. This gives the opportunity to discuss how the group is running and make any decisions about future events or priorities. Business meetings should be separate from the support meetings, although some groups do hold them on the same evening for convenience before the support meeting begins.
   
   
10. Let people know about the Group
    Many groups will produce a simple leaflet which the hospital can pass on to parents. Posters and notices can be displayed in doctors' surgeries, clinics, libraries, community centres and supermarkets. It is important to look at ways of raising awareness and working with the media. Local newspapers and radio stations are often happy to include a piece about the group.
    
    
11. Register the Group details and adopt the Sands Group Constitution
    As soon as you are ready, please ask for a group database form which asks for all of the details about the group to ensure the information we hold and the contact details for the group are correct. All groups are asked to adopt the Sands Group Constitution which formally clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the group. This does not need to be done straight away but at some stage during the first 6 months.