Commemorating Baby Loss Awareness Week at OUH
13 October 2026
Bereaved families are being invited to leave messages of remembrance for their babies at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2026 (BLAW), which runs from 9 to 15 October.
The annual awareness week, now in its 24th year, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families and friends to remember their babies and to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss.
Messages can be written on leaves and hung on the garden trellis in the butterfly garden, on level 7 of the Women’s Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The display will grow through the week as more leaves are added, offering parents a place to honour and remember their baby.
There are also remembrance trees on level 7 of the Women’s Centre and on the neonatal unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Families who are unable to visit in person can contact BereavementMidwives@ouh.nhs.uk and NNUbereavementnurses@ouh.nhs.uk and the team will write a heart for their baby and place it on the tree on their behalf.
Paula Gallacher, Bereavement Specialist Midwife at the Trust, said: "Baby Loss Awareness Week is a chance for those affected by baby loss and their families and friends to come together, share their experiences and remember their babies.
"It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of baby loss, so that no one feels they have to grieve in silence, and to make sure families know where they can find support.
"Leaving a message gives parents and families a way to remember their baby, both privately and alongside others who understand.”
A remembrance service will be held in the Chapel at the John Radcliffe Hospital on Thursday 15 October at 10am, with refreshments at the League of Friends café afterwards. The 30-minute service will be led by OUH Chaplain Ruth Fitter and is open to everyone affected by baby loss; no booking is needed. There will be a tree on the altar and hanging stars to help people remember their babies.
As part of the global Wave of Light, people are encouraged to light a candle at 7pm on Thursday 15 October and leave it burning for at least one hour, joining us in remembering all babies who have died too soon. This is an opportunity to join other families across the world to pause, reflect and remember. People can get involved by sharing a photo of their candle on social media using #WaveOfLight.
Many buildings and landmarks around the country are lit up pink and blue during BLAW. This year, the butterfly garden will also be lit up, thanks to funding from Oxford Hospitals Charity.
Support available for families
Families who have been cared for at OUH can contact our bereavement midwives and neonatal bereavement nurses directly, using the email addresses above, for support at any time, not only during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss, at any stage and at any time, can find support through the following organisations:
• Tommy’s
• Cradle
• Sands
• 4Louis
