Volunteers in Bolton are inviting local people who have also been affected by the death of a baby, to come along to a new Sands support group covering Bolton, Wigan and Chorley.

Bolton Sands will support parents whose baby has died before, during or shortly after birth. They'll hold support meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at Sainsbury's, Cricketers Way, Westhougton, BL5 3ZS in the training room. Bereaved parents are more than welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

Tracy Walters, Chair of the Bolton Sands group, said: “We hope that by setting up the much needed new group, bereaved parents and their families from Bolton, Chorley and Wigan will now have a place they can go to locally for a listening ear and to speak to other bereaved parents who will understand.”

Sands groups are run on a voluntary basis by people who have themselves experienced the death of a baby.

Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, said: “We hope the new Bolton Sands group will help and support bereaved parents and their families at a devastating time for them. Many bereaved parents tell us that other parents who have experienced the death of a baby are able to offer real understanding and empathy.

“I would urge anyone in the local area who is bereaved to come along to the Bolton group, or attend a group meeting in the future. We are dedicated to providing emotional support and information right from the early hours after a baby's death, through to the weeks, months and years ahead.”

For further information email: Bolton@sands.org.uk or call 0808 164 3332. The group can also be contacted via its Facebook page.

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