Recently Roy and I were invited to Sunderland Royal Hospital. Part of our visit was to the delivery suite which was opening its Bereavement Suite that day.Roy had been asked to paint a picture for the Bereavement Suite. On the unit we the met the amazing family who set up and run the 4Louis charity.
On 10th December 2009 a beautiful sleeping angel, Louis Robert Joseph Knight was born at 38 weeks. As a focus their grief, Louis’ parents decided they wanted to do something to help make a devastating experience a little more bearable by letting families know they are not alone. They do this by providing hospitals across the UK with memory boxes, so angel parents can capture those lasting precious memories of their baby that will last a lifetime.
I learnt that tragically, every single day in the UK around 17 babies are stillborn. There is often no rhyme or reason behind it and very little is available to help these mothers and families rebuild their shattered lives.
4Louis provide memory boxes for stillbirth, neo-natal, infant and child loss.Each memory box contains:
- A clay impression kit, to capture an impression of babies hands and feet.
- Two teddies, one for baby and one for the family.
- A glass angel in a presentation box
- A candle, for a special occasion where the family may want to light it.
- A card, so the family can write a poem or letter to baby.
- A curl box, for a lock of babies hair,
- An inkless wipe kit, to capture imprints of babies hands and feet.
- A CD to keep babies photographs safe
- A copy of 'Guess How Much I Love You book
- A SD Card
- Forget me not seeds to plant
- A balloon and postcard to heaven
- An acknowledgement of life certificate
4 Louis also provide specialist Cuddle Cots (also known as a cold cot). These are specialised pieces of equipment designed to keep baby cool to allow parents to spend up to 72 hours with baby. This gives the family precious time to take their baby home if they choose and to create memories together. The cuddle cots are designed to fit in to a Moses basket to keep the environment homely at such a traumatic time. All of 4Louis’ Cuddle Cots have been donated in memory of babies who's families have raised the funds to cover the cost and there is currently a waiting list of hospital units who would like to receive one.
Flagship Bereavement Suite
The hospital where baby Louis was born – Sunderland Royal has always held a place in the hearts of the 4Louis family.
Working with staff at the hospital, and with monumental fundraising efforts from parents who have experienced similar loss and supporters of the charity, a dedicated bereavement suite has been developed aptly named the Louis Suite.
This facility is away from the delivery suite rooms and is soundproofed to allow complete privacy to families.
It has all of the equipment of a delivery suite for mothers that need to deliver and also has a double sofa bed, contemporary kitchen and private en-suite bathroom which means that families can stay together and spend time with
their baby.
Further information on this wonderful charity is available via their website: http://www.4louis.co.uk/
Twitter account: @_4Louis