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Baby loss memorial bench 'a place to reflect'

Hattie McCann
BBC News, Devon
BBC Two people sit on a granite bench surrounded by green lawn. The bench has two small stone teddies on one end. One is grey with a bow tie and the other is in pink granite with a bow next to its ear. BBC
Kirsty Sellers and Mark Roberts, who have both lost babies, believe being out in nature is important for grieving parents

A bench has been built in the memorial garden of a Plymouth cemetery as a place of reflection for parents who have lost babies.

It was the idea of one of the clients of baby loss charity Pregnancy Crisis Care and it was donated to Plymouth Cemeteries and Crematorium through fundraising and sponsorships.

Jane Frajbis, from the charity, said: "I think it is really key to have somewhere to reflect."

Kirsty Sellers, whose son Oliver died two years ago, said: "When you're sat on a bench, you look out and hope that your rainbow baby will come."

A group of people stand in the memorial garden of a crematorium. Four of them are wearing pink hoodies with the Pregnancy Crisis Care logo. The memorial bench is in the background.
The team behind the project want people to know the bench is for anyone who has experienced baby loss

Rebecca Bullet, who lost her daughter in 2011, said she was grateful to the charity.

"I can say there is nothing like this around," she said.

"I, for one, will be using it a lot when I come to see my angel."

The charity said the bench was also a reminder to people going through grief that they are not alone.

Kirstie Willis, bereavement midwife at Derriford Hospital, said: "Knowing that time and effort has gone into providing something for them, so they know there are other people out there who can help and support them, is really important."

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