Manchester Sands Connect
Connecting parents with counselling support
Manchester Sands has been aware for some considerable time that there is a urgent need for some bereaved parents to have access to bereavement counselling at a time when they need it, rather than having to wait on the very long NHS waiting list. Some form of counselling provision became a potential reality with a very generous donation from Boodles, the luxury jewellers in Manchester.. We also were aware that those bereaved parents who have another pregnancy after experiencing baby loss need support that is focused on their particular situation and circumstances.
After months of discussion and planning, Manchester Sands Connect was established in September 2025 using the services of Connecting Rainbows, the psychological services company of Dr. Hope Blocksidge, a registered clinical psychologist based in Manchester. Dr. Blocksidge, who is a 'rainbow baby' herself, worked closely with Professor Alex Heazell at the Rainbow Clinic at St. Mary’s Hospital and has a particular interest in, and experience of, supporting individuals and families following baby loss. Dr. Blocksidge will be conducting all the counselling sessions and the pregnancy after loss group sessions.
One-to-One Counselling
Manchester Sands Connect offers bereaved parents up to six counselling sessions. After those six sessions they can continue on a self-funding basis if they so choose.
To qualify for counselling…
- parents should have attended a minimum of two Manchester Sands’ support meetings in the last 12 months
- parents will have experienced baby loss within the last three years *
- the need for additional support must have been recognized and noted by support meeting facilitators/befrienders
Important: Please note that counselling sessions will normally be held online via Teams or Zoom.
If you are interested in the counselling offered by Manchester Sands Connect and Dr. Hope Blocksidge please click on the button below and complete the counselling request form below or email us at Manchester@sandsvolunteer.org.uk with your details and the reasons why you would like counselling. Please note the criteria above. Manchester Sands Connect has a limited budget and we will try to ensure that those most in need of counselling receive it.
For more information about Dr. Hope Blocksidge, click here.
* The scheme is open to parents whose baby loss occurred more than three years ago. We recognise that every situation is unique, and requests where the loss was within the past three years will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Navigating Pregnancy After Loss Support Group
We understand that pregnancy after loss can present many challenges. We have listened to feedback that attending baby loss groups whilst pregnant can feel overwhelming, and we wanted to create a space that feels safe and supportive.
As part of our Manchester Sands Connect initiative, we are supporting bereaved parents who are pregnant after baby loss through dedicated monthly group sessions facilitated by Dr Hope Blocksidge, who has recently worked alongside Professor Alex Heazell at the St Mary’s Rainbow Clinic, supporting parents’ psychological needs during a pregnancy subsequent to loss, alongside a trained Manchester Sands befriender.
The group meets monthly from 8.30–9.30pm at The Tea Hive in Chorlton, during our regular in-person support meeting. The pregnancy after loss group meets separately from the usual session to provide a focused and supportive space.
Please note: Pre-registration is required for this group. As we are funding Dr Hope Blocksidge to attend and facilitate the sessions, the dedicated pregnancy after loss group will only run when registrations are received in advance. If no one registers, Dr Hope will not attend but the usual monthly Manchester Sands support meeting, led by a befriender, will take place as normal.
If you are interested in attending the Navigating Pregnancy After Loss support group, please complete the form (right) or email Manchester@sandsvolunteer.org.uk to register with your contact details, your reasons for attending, and what you hope to gain from the sessions.
Confidentiality
Any and all personal information regarding Manchester Sands Connect is treated in confidence. Any written information or information captured digitally to facilitate the process of identifying and discussing potential candidates for the project will be accurately recorded and stored securely. All records will be retained only as long as the individual or couple is receiving direct support from Sands.