Petals

Petals The Baby Loss Counselling Charity It is a sad reality that in the UK, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. 1 in 200 babies will be stillborn annually.

Over 5000 pregnancies will be terminated for medical reasons each year. And 24 babies die shortly after birth every single week. For many parents, these tragic deaths result not only in grief but also in trauma. Our counsellors provide a safe space to guide parents through the grief and trauma of their devastating experience to a place of reconciliation and hope for the future. We do this through

our free counselling service, which specialises in supporting those parents who have lost their pregnancy or baby. Our national online video counselling service provides psychological support to people across the UK, and in some areas we also provide counselling in person, in partnership with hospital Trusts. Petals is funded by voluntary donations and charity grants. You can find out how to donate at: http://www.petalscharity.org/donation

There are so many difficult milestones in the early days of grief - first Christmas, baby's birthday, Mother's Day, Fath...
03/09/2026

There are so many difficult milestones in the early days of grief - first Christmas, baby's birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day... but what about the milestones that can be unexpected hurdles further along in your grief journey? Here, Senior Petals counsellor, Sumita Bhola shares her insights and advice on how to navigate them.

We hope this blog might provide some words of comfort and support during a week where there may be many unexpected reminders of future - or present - milestones for your baby or babies.

Go gently on yourselves this week and remember, grief is not linear and is a lifelong journey.

Here'se link to Sumita's blog is https://www.petalscharity.org/managing-difficult-milestones/ 🌸

As summer starts to slip away, we’re thinking ahead to the next opportunity to pause, step away from the busy diary and ...
01/09/2026

As summer starts to slip away, we’re thinking ahead to the next opportunity to pause, step away from the busy diary and make space for yourself.

For healthcare professionals working in maternity, neonatal and baby loss care, finding that space can be difficult - but it is so.

Our Reflective Practice & Wellbeing Weekends are designed to offer time for relaxation, restoration and reset, alongside supportive peers who understand the emotional weight of this work.

Set within the beautiful surroundings of De Vere Wokefield Estate in Reading, our two-night residential weekends provide a chance to slow down, reflect, reconnect and return to your role feeling restored.

You can expect:

- Guided reflective practice
- Space to share and process experiences
- Walk-and-talk sessions in the grounds
- Mindfulness and meditation with experienced practitioner Kim Paul
- Gentle creative expression through flower arranging
- Confidential peer support with people who truly get it
- Practical self-help tools and techniques to take back into daily life
- Time and space simply to rest and relax

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Irwin Mitchell, places are available at the heavily subsidised rate of £345 per person, including two nights’ accommodation, all meals, the full reflective wellbeing programme and access to leisure and wellness facilities.

Our November 2026 weekend is now SOLD OUT, so if you’re thinking about joining us, now is the time to book one of our 2027 dates.

Please do share with a healthcare professional who might benefit from some time to reflect, restore and reset.

Book your space for 2027 here www.petalscharity.org/petals-weekend/

What bereaved parents carry after baby loss…Fear, guilt, anger, anxiety and isolation, a deep, seismic impact on relatio...
30/08/2026

What bereaved parents carry after baby loss…

Fear, guilt, anger, anxiety and isolation, a deep, seismic impact on relationships, identity and everyday life...

Behind every story of baby loss is a parent navigating feelings that can be incredibly difficult to carry, often without access to the specialist support we know they need - and that we provide.

This Grief Awareness Day, we’re sharing the words of some of the parents we’ve supported, and what happened when they finally had a safe space to say the things they couldn’t say anywhere else on a blog on our website.

At Petals, our specialist counsellors understand the unique trauma of baby loss. They listen without judgement, help parents make sense of what they’re experiencing, and support them as they begin to heal.

We believe every parent deserves timely access to specialist counselling after baby loss. But there simply isn’t enough funding to make that support available to everyone who needs it. That’s why we’re working every day to grow our hospital partnerships, raise vital funds through our charity pathway, and advocate for change.

We know the difference specialist support can make. And we’re so grateful to every parent who has trusted us with their story, and to every fundraiser, supporter and partner who helps us make this support possible.

The link to the full blog is here. Please read or share with anyone who may need to feel seen. https://www.petalscharity.org/the-invisible-weight-of-grief/

As summer draws to a close and September approaches, the familiar messages of “back to work” and “back to school” can br...
27/08/2026

As summer draws to a close and September approaches, the familiar messages of “back to work” and “back to school” can bring a lot with them.

For those who are grieving, the return to routines, responsibilities and expectations can feel particularly heavy.

In our latest blog, Petals counsellor Flora Saxby shares some gentle, practical advice for navigating those moments when the mental load feels like too much - from recognising when you’ve reached your limit, to giving yourself permission to say “I can’t do that yet.”

We hope these words offer a little understanding and support, whether you’re grieving yourself or supporting someone who is.
Read the full blog via our website via the link below, and please do share it with anyone who might need support right now.

https://www.petalscharity.org/the-mental-load-of-grief/

How to recognise trauma after baby lossWhen we talk about baby loss, we often talk about grief. But an important part of...
13/08/2026

How to recognise trauma after baby loss

When we talk about baby loss, we often talk about grief. But an important part of the work our Petals counsellors do is trauma-informed specialist counselling.

In this blog, counsellor Flora Saxby shares what trauma can look and feel like after baby loss - from fear, anxiety and sleep difficulties to avoiding scans, shops, social situations or anything that might trigger painful memories. She also explores how to recognise trauma in yourself, and how to recognise it in someone you love.

Recognising trauma can be an important first step towards getting the right support. Healing doesn’t mean making grief disappear. It’s about helping the body feel safe enough to begin processing what has happened.

To read the full blog and find out more about recognising and responding to trauma after baby loss, head to the 'News and blogs' section on our website

If this resonates with you, please know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. 🌸

Join us and become part of Team Petals for Cambridge Half Marathon 2027! 1. Petals powerYou get to be part of an incredi...
12/08/2026

Join us and become part of Team Petals for Cambridge Half Marathon 2027!

1. Petals power
You get to be part of an incredible team and community for our favourite event of the year.

2. Run with pride and purpose.
Every penny will help support more bereaved parents who need to access our counselling.

3. You’ll never run alone
From first welcome email to WhatsApp groups, training support and check-ins to the best cheer squad in Cambridge! You’ll be supported every single step of the way.

4. It’s our home town flagship event!
We’re so proud to be a charity partner of the Cambridge Half Marathon.

5. It’s the race where the journey is actually joyful...
(Just ask our team - we love running it too!)

6. ...and you’ll always see familiar faces in the crowd
And they will be loudly cheering you on to the finish line.

7. So sign up today and wear your (free!) pink t shirt with pride by joining Team Petals for the Cambridge Half 2027!

Your place is waiting! Visit our website today.

The sun's been out and so has Team Petals!We want to shine our own light on the spectacular fundraising that has been go...
04/08/2026

The sun's been out and so has Team Petals!

We want to shine our own light on the spectacular fundraising that has been going on in the Petals community throughout July. Meet the wonderful individuals who have participated in individual events to raise funds for Petals…

Yealin took on the annual BFS2ESHRE charity cycling challenge
Alice completed the Tarka Trail Half Marathon
Chai launched her poetry book ‘In Awe of Audacity’ and hosted a fundraiser for Petals as part of her book launch.
Louisa ran the Saucony London 10K
Caroline smashed Ham to Lym 50k Ultra Marathon
Carly has been auctioning more items on eBay

Collectively, they have raised an incredible ÂŁ7,949. This is enough to fully fund 15 couples through Petals counselling in the coming months. Thank you all so much, you are helping to bring hope and specialist support to bereaved parents.

If this has given you some inspiration and you fancy getting in on the fun (sun or no sun!), just drop us a message or head to our website. for more details on how to set up your own event, or get involved in ours.

The 15 for 15 challenge kicks off on Saturday - there is still time to sign up!How it works:Complete 15 miles a week (ap...
28/07/2026

The 15 for 15 challenge kicks off on Saturday - there is still time to sign up!

How it works:
Complete 15 miles a week (approx 24k) through August. You could run, roll, walk… skateboard! As long as you’re clocking up the miles, it all counts.
Use our tracker for you to monitor your miles and join our community WhatsApp, so you can chat and share your progress with others taking part.
If you raise ÂŁ50 you will be sent a Petals t-shirt to wear for the duration of your challenge.

You could walk with friends, family, colleagues. Every mile you cover and pound you raise will help us be there for the next parent who needs us this summer.

It’s free to sign up and receive your 15 for 15 Challenge pack, which contains everything you need to get started. We’d absolutely love you to join us as we celebrate 15 years of Petals..

Petals are hiring!Join our friendly, dedicated, compassionate team and help keep our specialist counselling service runn...
28/07/2026

Petals are hiring!

Join our friendly, dedicated, compassionate team and help keep our specialist counselling service running smoothly for bereaved parents. If you're someone who is organised, proactive, detail-focused and you enjoy working with systems and processes that enable our specialist support to reach more people, we'd love to hear from you.

- Hybrid working
- Flexible, supportive culture
- Career development & funded training
- Make meaningful impact in a fast-growing charity

Apply now and help more families access the support they need.

Closing date: 24th August

Head to petalscharity.org/jobs for more details and information on how to apply.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Celebrate Petals' 15th anniversary with our 15 for 15 Challenge! This August, the Petals team will be celebrating our 15...
25/07/2026

Celebrate Petals' 15th anniversary with our 15 for 15 Challenge!

This August, the Petals team will be celebrating our 15th anniversary by getting our miles in however we can: lunchtime walks, weekend hikes, morning runs, dog walks and everything in between!

And we’d love you to join us!

It's about purpose, not pace. It's about coming together and celebrating 15 years of helping bereaved parents while raising funds so we can support even more families in the years ahead.

You can get involved in two ways:

Donate ÂŁ15 for our 15th anniversary (or any amount you choose).

Take on our 15 for 15 Challenge by walking, rolling or running 15 miles each week throughout August.

If you choose to donate ÂŁ15 for 15, don't forget to leave a message for our anniversary bunting. We'll be displaying every message outside our office as a beautiful celebration of the kindness, hope and support that has carried Petals through the last 15 years.

And throughout August, don't forget to tag us in to pics of your miles!

Let’s take these next steps together…🌸

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Downing Park, Station Road
Swaffham Bulbeck
CB250NW

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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