Meetings

Co-Chair and Co-Treasurer

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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. 

Co-Chair and Co-Treasurer

In-Person Meetings 

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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.​​

In-Person Meetings and Remembrance Cards

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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.

Online Meeting Facilitator

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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.