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All change for S.P.R.I.N.G. Kate Ward As you will read from some of the other articles in this edition there are many changes happening within S.P.R.I.N.G.. These are all sparked off by Heather Matthews’ retirement from the Counselling Service at Poole Maternity Unit on 10th October 2007. Heather’s involvement with S.P.R.I.N.G. will continue as before. The Counselling Service will be co-ordinated by Jo Sharkey for 7˝ hours each week funded by Poole NHS Trust. She will be assisted by Di Phillips (Midwife Counsellor) for 7˝ hours each week funded by Poole NHS Trust and they will continue to use voluntary counsellors who give their very valuable time for free. Added to this service S.P.R.I.N.G. are funding Gena Evans (Midwife Bereavement Support Worker) for 22˝ hours each week. Working as a team Jo, Di and Gena will be available to support clients’ needs and provide a superb service which will be second to none in midwifery care. It has been an enormous privilege for me to work alongside Heather for the last six years as a volunteer. I have learnt so much from her and the bereaved families that I have me during this time, and I intend to stay on as Chairman of S.P.R.I.N.G. and support worker to Jo, Di and Gena for another year, to help them through this transitional period. 
My name is Heather Matthews and I worked at Poole Maternity Hospital as a Midwife and a Counsellor. 
About 12 years ago I felt that the emotional issues around pregnancy and loss were not being given the support that was needed. I decided to train as a counsellor and started to offer a counselling service within the maternity unit. Although this began as a voluntary service, it is now funded by the maternity services.
In March 1998 several professionals got together to look at the need for starting a local support group for bereaved parents. Several months later in October 1998 the first S.P.R.I.N.G. meeting was held.
S.P.R.I.N.G. (Supporting Parents and Relatives In Neonatal Grief) was set up to provide support to parents and relatives who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at, or just after birth. This includes miscarriage, stillbirth and termination for foetal abnormality. S.P.R.I.N.G. is run by a unique combination of bereaved parents, relatives and caring professionals. The aim of S.P.R.I.N.G. is to befriend and support through grief. This is achieved by offering counselling, befriending and monthly support meetings. We also have special facilities such as the S.P.R.I.N.G. suite at Poole Maternity Unit to help parents and their families to cope with their bereavement.
Many people find that it is difficult to get through such a sad time alone and without help. They often find they feel less isolated when they share their experience with others who have been through the same heartache. Support meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Health Information and Resource centre, Poole Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole from 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm. Bereaved parents and their relatives are always welcome to attend no matter when or where their baby died.
If you have experienced the death of a baby and feel that we can support you, please come along. We will do our best to meet the individual needs of all those who attend in a warm, caring and sensitive way. In the early days following your bereavement you may feel that you are getting plenty of support from family, friends and health professionals. As time passes and turns into weeks, months or even years, you may find that you want to consider attending the support meetings. Here you will find others willing to listen, who understand your needs to discuss your experience and remember your baby.
S.P.R.I.N.G. can also provide support through a subsequent pregnancy, as there are members of the group who have gone on to have successful births following the loss of a baby. Many women find it reassuring to share their concerns and anxieties with someone who understands what they are going through. Our aim is to reach more people who might be in need of our support.
S.P.R.I.N.G. offers a confidential, non-judgmental environment with respect for others views, beliefs and circumstances. It gives freedom of expression and permission to opt out. We have found that sharing similar and dissimilar experiences can be helpful within a group especially when one is feeling isolated and alone.
At our S.P.R.I.N.G. meetings we have found that sharing can help you support each other. To help get you through the grief and help others do the same. If you have experienced the death of a baby and feel we can support you, get in touch with S.P.R.I.N.G.
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