By Your Side contact us
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01621 866 900
By Your Side is a maternal mental health service provided by Essex Partnership University NHS Trust, in collaboration with midwifery colleagues, which offers therapeutic care and grief therapy for people who were pregnant and have experienced a perinatal loss.
If you are struggling with your mental health as a mother or birthing parent and have not suffered a perinatal loss, you can contact our colleagues within the specialist perinatal mental health service, your GP, or Therapy for You. Alternatively, if you have concerns regarding your bond with your baby, you can contact our colleagues from the Together with Baby service.
People who were pregnant and their loved ones affected by any mental difficulty not pertaining to loss can also access community perinatal mental health services, relevant charities or call NHS 111 for mental health crisis.
Perinatal Loss – national
ARC: [email protected] / 0207 713 7486
Antenatal Results & Choices offers support for parents, partners, grandparents, talking to children and looking ahead to another pregnancy.
Cradle: [email protected] / 0333 443 4630
They offer peer support and an online support group CONNECTED for those affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy.
Miscarriage Association: [email protected] / 01924 200799
Offering a range of support including online support and a helpline.
Nova foundation: / [email protected]
A national site that highlights support that individuals can access through national organisations.
Petals: [email protected] / 0300 688 0068
Baby loss counselling charity.
Saying Goodbye: [email protected] / 0300 323 1350
Provides comprehensive information, advice, support and much more to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
The Lullaby Trust: [email protected] / 0808 802 6868
The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and emotional support for bereaved families.
The Lily Mae Foundation: Contact Form / 01676 535716
Supporting parents and families after a stillbirth, neonatal death, miscarriage or medical termination.
Podcast to inform men it is ok to not be ok.
Tommy’s: [email protected] / 0800 014 7800
Tommy’s is the largest UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, still birth and premature birth. They fund pioneering research and support families through every part of the pregnancy journey.
The Twins Trust: 01252 332344
This charity supports all parents of multiples who have experienced loss, whether it was during pregnancy, at birth or any point afterwards.
The Loss Collective: [email protected] / Partner Support
Supporting workplaces and healthcare professionals in the baby loss conversation.
TFMR MAMAS: /Support Groups
TFMR Mamas provides Free monthly support groups and paid weekly support group options for TFMR Mamas & Private facebook groups for TFMR Mamas, LGBTQ+, Papas and Grandparents.
Perinatal Loss – local
Assure pregnancy and baby loss support: 01245 494838 // 07434 524312 a Christian charity offering compassionate care by trained staff and volunteers. Will accept self-referrals and referrals from healthcare professionals. Offers virtual and face to face appointments at their centre: 32 Wharf Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6LU.
B3-Bumps Birth and Belonging CIC: / [email protected]
Specialist organisation that supports Afro-Caribbean and minoritised parents with all things related to pregnancy, birth, and parenting. If you’re pregnant or have a baby under 24 months they can support your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs with hands on, practical information. B3 – Bumps, Birth and Belonging | Black midwife/doula (b3-community.org)
Can provide counselling (not loss specific): [email protected]
Forget-Me-Not: [email protected] / 01268 414149 (Laindon)
Founded by those with lived experience of perinatal loss from the Basildon area.
Sands: [email protected] / 0808 164 3332 (Essex)
Stillbirth & neonatal death charity, a volunteer led group of bereaved parents.
Child Bereavement
Aching Arms / [email protected]
Run by bereaved parents and gives you the opportunity to talk to someone who has an understanding of what you’re going through.
Child Bereavement UK / 0800 02 888 40
Child bereavement UK offers a range of support to parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.
The Baby Bereavement Groups at Ipswich and Colchester hospitals are run by a voluntary team of midwives and maternity care assistants who are working to change the way bereaved couples are cared for.
Families who have experienced a baby loss, at any stage of pregnancy, are invited to attend the monthly support groups to share their feelings and experiences in a confidential and supportive environment.
Ipswich Date: Last Tuesday of the month Time: 8pm to 9pm Location: Online To join: Email [email protected]
Colchester Date: Last Thursday of the month Time: 7pm to 9pm Location: The Ark, Highwoods CO4 9FF To join: No booking required, just turn up. Phone: 03007701369.
Bereavement Support
At a Loss: [email protected] / Counsellor live chat
A library of books and websites to help you with your bereavement journey, for your loss, age and location.
Cruse: 0808 808 1677
This charity offers bereavement support to anyone who has experienced a loss.
Support
Andy’s Man Club
Talking group meets on Mondays at 7pm at Lincewood Primary School, Berry Ln, Langdon Hills, Basildon SS16 6AZ [email protected]
Farleigh Hospice
Braintree Bereavement Help Point: the second and fourth Monday of each month at 10:30am to 12pm at Brambles Restaurant (within Quadrant), 9-15 George Yard, Rayne Road, Braintree, CM7 2QA.
[email protected] / 01245 457308
Chelmsford
Online and in person Bereavement Support Groups: Virtual – via zoom or in person at Farleigh Hospice, North Court Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7FH.
Contact: 01245 457308 or [email protected]
Also offer: Chelmsford Bereavement Help Point: The second and fourth Tuesday of each month 10.30am to 12pm and from 10th October 11am to 12.30pm at Sweet Pea Café, 74 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6JY
Also offer: Bereavement Open Group: The third Wednesday every month at7pm-8:30pm at Farleigh Hospice, North Court Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7FH.
The group offers mutual support for all adults over 18 years of age who have had a significant bereavement. The openness of the group enables members to share experiences, learn from others and access support. No member is expected to contribute, only when they feel able to.
Further information: Email [email protected] or call 01245 457308.