Sands in Northern Ireland

09/09/2026

🕯️ Downpatrick Sands Wave of Light 🕯️

Join us on Thursday 15th October at 6.30pm at St Patrick’s Square, Market Street, Downpatrick as we come together in remembrance of babies gone too soon and take part in the global Wave of Light at 7pm.

Please bring a candle if you can.

Everyone is welcome💜

07/09/2026

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust is hosting a Service of Remembrance on Wednesday 14th October to honour and remember babies and children who have died before, during or after birth 💜💜

Please see the details below for further information.

A flower, a memory, a moment to remember 💙

Our Service of Remembrance will honour babies & children who have passed away before, during or after birth.

📅 14 October
⏰ 7.30pm
📍 Stormont Hotel, Belfast

For more info email, [email protected]

03/09/2026

💜🧡 Antrim Sands 🧡💜

We are meeting again tonight - Thursday 4th September - at 7.30pm at Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim.
Everyone is welcome to come along and we would love to see you there for a cuppa and a chat as we remember our babies 💜

Claire and Sara x

02/09/2026

*FULLY BOOKED* Please do contact us if you would like to added to waiting list.

💜 Bereaved families are warmly invited to join us for a Sound Bath on Monday 12th October in the Listening Rooms.

This gentle and relaxing event offers an opportunity to take some time for yourself in a safe and supportive environment.

Our Sands Befriender Volunteers from the Newry and Portadown groups will be there to welcome you, share information about the support available through Sands, and share a chat and cuppa with you.

A special thank you to Oonagh King, Bereavement Midwife, and Fiona Bawn of Empower Wellness for their valued support in making this event possible.

Please see the details below. 💜

01/09/2026

💜A fantastic day connecting with communities at Belfast Mela 2026 💜

Sheila, Community Development Officer for Sands in Northern Ireland, was delighted to attend the Mela Festival in Belfast. Mela is a wonderful celebration of culture, diversity and community, bringing people from many different backgrounds together.

At Sands, we believe that every bereaved parent and family deserves compassionate support, and we are committed to ensuring our services are inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all communities.

People from all cultures, faiths and backgrounds are warmly welcome at our Sands support groups and Sands United teams across Northern Ireland. We know that grief is experienced differently by everyone, and we are committed to creating safe, supportive spaces where bereaved families can connect, remember and feel understood.

If you would like to learn more about the support Sands offers for African, Caribbean and South Asian parents and families, as well as details of our local groups and Sands United teams, please see the links in the comments below ⬇

28/08/2026

💜🧡 Belfast Sands 💜🧡

Belfast Sands meets again on Wednesday 2nd September at 8.00pm in the Voco Hotel, Belfast.

As always, everyone is welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat. 💜🧡

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

No matter when you experienced your pregnancy or baby loss, your grief is real and valid. Your baby matters and has made a lasting impact on you.

We want you to know that it is ok to grieve the baby that you didn’t get to take home. The life that you didn’t get see unfold.
We are here for you anytime you need to talk 💜🧡

Thank you to bereaved mum, Khryssie for sharing her experience...

"I've had several early losses and a stillbirth at 7 months. They all hurt. All of them a whispered ‘what if’. I will love all my babies forever."

If you would like your quote to be featured, please leave it in the comments below 👇 If you would like your baby's name to be mentioned, please don't hesitate to add it to your quote.

20/08/2026

💜🧡 Portadown Sands 🧡💜

Come along to Portadown Sands monthly meeting Tuesday 25th August 2026 at ABC Community Network Offices, 82 Thomas Street, Portadown BT62 3NU at 7.00pm.

Our support meetings offer support to bereaved families.
We are bereaved parents ourselves and know how the loss of your baby can affect the wider family & friends.

The support we offer is an informal chat over a cuppa with people who’ve been where you are in your grief.