The death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth is devastating and the emotional pain is indescribable for all involved. The words of well meaning friends or relations can seem empty.
In the early days of grief you are surrounded by friends and family. However as time moves on, people gradually return to their normal lives. You may feel that you cannot speak about your baby as often as you would like. You think that nobody can understand what you are going through, but you are not alone.
Féileacáin support meetings are open to all adults affected by the death of a baby. Our meetings are informal; they are simply a place where you can come and meet others on the same journey as you. Parents and family members obtain great comfort from knowing that they can come to a meeting and everybody else there will understand exactly what they are feeling. Only those who have been through the pain of stillbirth or neonatal death can understand it. The meetings are a place where you can come and speak freely without fear of judgement. There is no pressure on anyone at a meeting to speak; it is up to you how much or how little you say.
All our meetings are facilitated by our trained befrienders, who themselves are bereaved parents. These meetings provide a safe place which gives you space and time to remember your baby, and to hopefully come away feeling that little bit lighter.
Upcoming Support Meetings
Dublin Meeting: Ashling Hotel, last Thursday of every month, 7.30 to 9.30 pm.
Change for November:
Next Meeting: Sunday 5th November 7.30 pm – This meeting is to arrange the forthcoming Christmas Service and the Remembrance Run in the Phoenix Park. We will also bring some Christmas Craft stuff if anyone wants to help to make the baubles to sell (or keep them for yourself!).
Cork Meeting: Kinglsey Hotel 3rd Tuesday of every month, 7.30 to 9.30 pm.
Next Meeting: Tuesday 21st November 7.30 to 9.30 pm.
Galway Meeting: Harbour Hotel, first Tuesday of every second month, 7.30 to 9.30 pm.
Next meeting: Tuesday 7th November 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Please note that this meeting will be a Christmas Wreath making and Bauble workshop.
Cavan Meeting: Cavan Crystal Hotel, Saturday 11th November 3 to 5 pm. This workshop will be a wreath making and bauble making workshop. All welcome.
Sands N.I Support Meetings
DERRY SANDS
MEETS – First Tuesday of each month
LOCATION – Holywell Trust Offices, Bishop Street, Londonderry
TIME – 7.30 – 9.30pm (or longer if needed)
ENNISKILLEN SANDS
MEETS – Second Thursday of each month
LOCATION – Hexagon room, The Enniskillen Hotel, 72 Forthill Street BT746AJ
TIME – 7.30pm – 9-30pm (or longer if needed)
NEWRY SANDS
MEETS – Last Thursday of each month
LOCATION – Meeting room 2, Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry
TIME – 8pm onwards
