Meetings
In-Person or Online
Our meetings provide an often welcome opportunity to talk about and share your experiences and concerns with other individuals and couples who have perhaps experienced something similar - whether it's about what happened, how it happened, and how to cope. There is no requirement to talk, and some come just to listen and to feel supported.
If you feel you would like some support, but can't face attending a meeting, please contact us and let us know what we can do to support you.
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Navigating Pregnancy After Loss – New Support Group (from March 2026)
We now have a dedicated monthly Pregnancy After Loss support group for parents who are pregnant again following baby loss. Facilitated by Dr Hope Blocksidge, this group offers a focused and understanding space alongside our regular meetings. Please note that pre-registration is required for this group. Click here to find out more and register your interest.
From October 2026 this group will meet in the Meeting Room at Chorlton Library, Manchester M21 (see meeting dates and times below).
Next Meetings
We are continuing to hold our monthly meetings in-person and online. Below are the dates of the next meetings to August 2027. The in-person support meetings take place at The Tea Hive, Chorlton and the online support meetings take place via Zoom, From September 2026, the Navigating Pregnancy After Loss meetings will normally take place at Chorlton Library unless they are, occasionally online.. Reminders are sent with the notice of the meeting to our email list. If you'd like to join our email list please complete our contact form at the bottom of this page.
In-Person Support Meetings
8-10pm @ The Tea Hive, Chorlton
2026
Wednesday 9th September
Wednesday 7th October
Wednesday 11th November
Wednesday 9th December
2027
Wednesday 6th January
Wednesday 10th February
Wednesday 10th March
Wednesday 7th April
Wednesday 5th May
Wednesday 9th June
Wednesday 7th July
NAVIGATING PREGNANCY AFTER LOSS MEETINGS
Wednesdays, dates as above, 8pm - 9.30pm
VENUE: CHORLTON LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
Note: All meetings in-person except 9th September 2026 which is online via Zoom
Online Meetings 2026
All meetings 8pm - 9.30pm via Zoom.
Contact us by email if you want to attend and we will send you the link to the meeting.
2026
Thursday 13th August
Thursday 15th October
Thursday 17th December
2027
Thursday 11th February
Thursday 8th April
Thursday 9th June
Thursday 5th August
The Tea Hive
53 Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester, United Kingdom M21 9UN
Chorlton Library
Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9PN
Who will be at a meeting?
Manchester Sands has a long history of volunteers. We understand that attending any meeting can be a daunting, we want to share with you the people who facilitate the meetings - be it online or in the flesh - so when you arrive, you recognise us.
Paul Kleiman and Jo Richler
Co-Chair and Co-Treasurer
Our first baby Rocky died very soon after birth in 1990. We started attending Sands meetings soon after and have remained at the centre of Manchester Sand’s work for three decades. We are both trained Sands’ Befrienders and, over the years, we have met and supported hundreds of bereaved parents. Everyone’s story is different although we all share the sadness and grief of baby loss.
In July 2024 Jo was awarded the University of Manchester’s prestigious Medal of Honour for her volunteering work with Manchester Sands.
Kim and Kris Powell
Co-Chair and Co-Treasurer
In-Person Meetings
We attended our first Sands meeting in 2021, following losing our beautiful son Reggie Albert, who passed away at 24 weeks. The meetings, led by Jo and Paul were invaluable to us as we met other parents who understood the pain we felt. Our grief will be a lifelong journey but we have the support of Sands. Three years on, we are proud to be part of the Sands team facilitating monthly meetings at The Tea Hive alongside Hailey.
Hailey Peacock
In-Person Meetings and Remembrance Cards
Our beautiful daughter Scarlett passed away in January 2016.
My husband and I attended our first Sands meeting around 2 weeks after.
Meeting Jo and Paul and being with other parents that were going through similar experiences really helped me to start processing my grief.
I have continued to attend the monthly meetings and now I’m proud to be part of the Sands team to help and offer support to other bereaved parents at our in - person meetings.
Rebekah Woolf
Online Meeting Facilitator
I was directed to Manchester SANDS by St Mary's hospital when we discovered that our second son, Lucian, was incredibly ill during our anomaly scan.
My husband and I attended our first meeting a few days after he passed. It was November 2020 and in the thick of the COVID restrictions, so we were able to join the online meetings, for which we were incredibly grateful.
We have since experienced further loss and have continued to attend and be supported by SANDS. Then later, be privileged to lead the online meetings and be part of the team.
I hope to continue to be a part of the Manchester SANDS family and be able to contribute and support other families going through this most devastating loss.