In the UK, 17 babies a day are stillborn or die in the first 4 weeks of life.
Here in N. Ireland, 4 babies a week are stillborn or die in the first 4 weeks of life.
Currently there are five support groups meeting in N. Ireland. Anyone is free to come along to a meeting. You can ring the Helpine for further details first, or just drop in. All meetings are run on a very informal basis by Sands befrienders and everyone is very welcome. It is up to each person how they want to use the groups. Some people come every month and others come only once. There is no pressure to attend if you don't want to or don't think it is the right thing for you. There is also no pressure to talk and tell your story if you don't want to. Many people find it beneficial just to sit and listen, others want to share their story. The choice is yours.
All groups serve tea/coffee and biscuits.
Antrim Sands support group meets on 2nd Thursday of every month at 8p.m. For venue or any other queries please contact Nicola on 07788 705 146.
Dates for 2010: 11th Mar, 8th Apr, 13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 12th Aug, 9th Sept, 14th Oct, 11th Nov, 9th Dec
The Belfast Group currently meets at 8.00pm on the first Wednesday of every month at the Mount Oriel Centre, Saintfield Road, Belfast. Entrance is at the rear of the building (next to the car park) through the glass doors.
The Sands befrienders at the Belfast group are Janet Whitelaw-Jones, Colin and Cathy Pidgeon, Sophia Cross and Claire Moffatt.
Dates for 2010 are February 3rd, March 3rd, April 7th, May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th, August 4th, September 1st, October 6th, November 3rd, December 1st.
Meetings will be held on the second Wednesdayof every month at 7.30 pm in Tempo Road Day Centre, Tempo Road, Enniskillen.
Befriender at the group is Catherine Lennon.
Dates for 2010: 14th Jan, 10th Feb, 10th Mar, 14th Apr, 12th May, 9th Jun, 14th July, 11th Aug, 8th Sept, 13th Oct, 10th Nov, 8th Dec
Newry Sands support group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 8:00pm in the Nurses Home, in the grounds of Daisy Hill Hospital.
The North West group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm in the Education Room, Foyle Hospice, Culmore Road, Derry/Londonderry.
The Sands befrienders at this group are Catherine Lennon, Caroline Maguire and Aureli Oslé.
Dates for 2010: Jan 5th, Feb 2nd, Mar 2nd, Apr 6th, 4th May, 1st Jun, 6th Jul, 3rd Aug, 7th Sep, 5th Oct, 2nd Nov and 7th Dec.
The Portadown Group meets at 8.00pm on the last Tuesday of every month at The Eden Social Education Centre, Bridge Street, Portadown (beside Portadown Rugby Club).
The Sands Befrienders at the group are Steven and Jacqui Guy, Kerri Kerr and Nicola Hoey.
Dates for 2010 are January 26th, February 23th, March 30st, April 27th, May 25th, June 29th, July 27th, August 31st, September 28th, October 26th, November 30th.
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