FACTSHEET: ABOUT SANDS
October 2011
Q. What is Sands?
A. Sands is a national charity that supports anyone affected by the death of a baby and promotes research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives. Sands was founded in 1978 by a small group of bereaved parents devastated by the death of their babies, particularly by what they felt was a complete lack of acknowledgement and understanding of the significance and impact of their loss.
Q. What does Sands do?
A. Sands has 3 core aims, which are to:
- support anyone affected by the death of a baby;
- work with health professionals to improve the quality of care and services provided to bereaved parents and their families;
- promote changes in antenatal practice and fund research that could help to reduce the loss of babies' lives.
Q. How long has Sands been a charity?
A. Sands is a national charity, established by bereaved parents in 1978, and received charity status in 1981.
Q. Where is Sands based?
A. Sands head office is in London. Sands also has nearly 100 regional support groups in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Q. Are you a national charity?
A. Yes we are a national charity, with around 100 regional support groups in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Q. Do you have any regional offices?
A. Yes, we have a regional office in Northern Ireland run by our NI co-ordinator, Steven Guy. This is the first regional Sands office in the UK. We also have a national network of nearly 100 regional support groups and can put parents, friends and relatives in touch with their nearest group.
Q. Who can contact Sands for help and support?
A. We provide support for anyone affected by a baby’s death, however long agotheir baby died, including family, friends, and health and social care professionals.