Sands Bereavement SupportBook
Very little compares to the death of your baby. The Sands Bereavement Support Book is a single, comprehensive resource to guide parents through the arduous journey on which they are about to embark. This new resource replaces Sands' previous pack, which consisted of multiple booklets covering various issues. The number of booklets was often daunting for families and would be split up by staff, leaving the packs incomplete. The new book comprises individual sections that are colour coded. During such a difficult period, it can be overwhelming to attempt to take in all information provided at once; therefore, this feature allows the reader to choose which topic they would like to focus on. I particularly liked that the paragraphs were short and so did not feel intimidating, which makes the reader more likely to absorb the information.
The individual sections are easily accessible as PDFs on the Sands website, so that friends and family can be signposted to all resources. One of the biggest improvements noted in the new book is the conscious effort to make it fully inclusive of single parents, same-sex couples, adoptive and surrogate parents, with a noticeable change in the language and images used throughout. This is a significant leap from the old resource pack, which only had a section dedicated to fathers. This change to acknowledge the immense diversity of modern society is a tremendous step forward and one that will be greatly appreciated by staff and families alike.
The new book is a well-structured and innovative resource that signposts the many stages of this journey. It highlights crucial information that will arise, such as mode of delivery, how to organise a funeral and who is available to help. Sands has expertly created a format that underlines the harsh reality of losing a baby in a style that is both sensitive and supportive. The death of a baby is an unearthly reality to face; it shatters all expectations of ‘what would have been’ and causes a sense of lack of control. The method used to deliver information in this book manages to give back a positive sense of empowerment to these bereaved families.
As well as this, Sands has incorporated sensitive photographs of babies who have died. In doing so, they have highlighted—and taken a step towards alleviating—the feelings of anxiety and fear that can be conjured up as parents try to comprehend what a baby who has died might look like once it has been born. The book goes on to give the reader ideas and options for creating memories and keepsakes. These include different layouts when taking photographs, hand- and footprints, and information about memory-making.
Through this book, Sands has extended its realm of support by addressing a topic that is often overlooked. Breaking bad news to friends and family members can be extremely traumatic for the parents and advice on methods can prepare and steel parents' minds when having to do so. This extends to explaining to children that their sibling has died in a truthful yet sensitive manner.
Overall, the book is an excellent resource for families at a time when guidance and support are essential. It is a holistic representation of the work that Sands does to provide a supportive network for parents and families at a tragic time in their lives. Having seen, felt and worked alongside the array of emotions with which parents and their families are faced, I feel that Sands has been able to create a sense of security and comfort. For this reason and numerous others, I could not recommend the use of this informative book more.