About Us
We are a baby loss charity, our aim is to improve the care given around stillbirth and neonatal bereavement.
Every year in the UK, approximately 2,500 to 4,000 babies are stillborn, which translates to about 7 to 10 babies every day.
We provide care and support to families who have suffered a bereavement, as well as education for healthcare professionals directly involved with caring for bereaved parents.
Our fundraising pays for specialist midwifery bereavement training courses and the provision of Abi Cooling Cots to maternity units, to allow parents to spend additional time with their baby.
When we had Abigail we only had two or three hours with her, the Abi Cooling Cot allows people to have two or three days if they wish.”
We also work with hospitals to advise on the sensitive layout and creation of bereavements suites that provides parents privacy and locates them away from maternity wards.
Our story so far
2010
Abigail’s Footsteps was founded by Jo & David Ward in memory of their daughter Abigail Rose Ward who was stillborn at 41 weeks.
2012
Abigail’s Footsteps achieved charitable status on the 18th September 2012, registered charity number 1149005.
2013
The Deafening Silence is released and the Royal Society of Midwives circulated it to 27,000 of its registered midwives.
2014
The Deafening Silence is awarded two Gold’s at the ‘IVCA Awards’ and gains global media coverage, raising awareness of stillbirth.
2015
Awarded Care Charity of the Year at the Kent Charity Awards and the first Abi Cooling Cot is delivered to a maternity unit.
2016
Named Kent Charity of the Year and opened Abigail’s Place, a dedicated bereavement suite at the Medway Maritime Hospital.
2017
HRH Countess of Wessex visits Abigail’s Place and commends the team on their dedication and good work.
2019
Launched our specialist baby counselling programme and began to roll out a bereavement training programme.
2021
Received almost £300,000 from the Big Lottery Community Fund, to help support our programmes for 3 years.
2021-2025
We were proud winners of 3 awards at the Kent Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards in 2021, as well as awards in 2023 and 2025.
2023
Hosted a Baby Loss Conference
2025
Hosted Baby Loss Conference for student midwives
