Vision & Mission
Abigail’s Footsteps is a Kent based baby loss charity, founded by Jo & David Ward MBE in memory of their daughter Abigail Ward who was stillborn at 41 weeks gestation.
Abigail was born in 2009 at Medway Maritime Hospital. Abigail’s Footsteps helps parents who have lost a much-loved baby by providing them with bereavement care and support following their loss.
We strive to meet the unfunded gaps that sadly exist in the NHS relating to the baby loss services delivered by our partner NHS Trust Maternity Units.
Our Vision
To work in partnership with the NHS to improve the bereavement care and support given to parents and families following the loss of a much-loved baby, both in the hospital and once they have returned home. To raise awareness of the gaps that exist in the provision of bereavement care in today’s NHS. To build upon the excellent foundations forged since our existence to consolidate and continually improve our current service offering, moving into newer territory in our sector as a key influencer and challenger.
Our Mission
To ensure that bereaved parents receive the highest standard of care, following the death of a much-loved baby. To provide healthcare professionals with excellent bereavement care training and support. To provide the right hospital facilities and environment for bereaved parents and families. To provide parents with the right counselling and support. To provide Professional Reflective Occupational Practice to Healthcare Professionals.
Charity Main Aims
Supporting bereaved parents
All that we do is focussed upon the welfare and wellbeing of bereaved parents. As a specific service, we provide up to six dedicated counselling sessions to bereaved parents, delivered by skilled counselling professionals to help the parents come to terms with the loss of their baby.
Bereavement training for health care professionals
We aim to improve the training that health care professionals and care staff receive in respect of baby loss bereavement and to improve the quality of supportive information that families receive if their family suffers the loss of a much-loved baby.
Vital equipment
We aim to provide the necessary equipment in each maternity unit to preserve a stillborn baby to allow parents and families to spend more time with their baby and come to terms with their loss. The equipment (The Abi Cooling Cot) allows them to spend this precious time as a family until they are ready to go home (until at least the day after the mother’s discharge from the hospital).
The right environment
Ensuring that bereavement facilities, including dedicated bereavement suites and delivery rooms are provided in NHS hospitals and that these are located away from the main maternity ward, working in partnership with NHS Trusts to fund sensitively designed facilities to make the best use of hospital architecture and layout.
