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Sands History

Sands is the stillbirth and neonatal death charity which operates throughout the UK, supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

Sands was founded in 1978 by a small group of bereaved parents devastated by the death of their babies, and by the total lack of acknowledgement and understanding of the significance and impact of their loss. Sands obtained charity status in 1981.

Sands is a national organisation, with over 100 regional support groups across the UK.

Sands’ Aims and Objectives

Sands has three core aims:

  • To support anyone affected by the death of a baby
  • To work in partnership with health professionals to try to ensure that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care
  • To promote and fund research that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives

Sands’ Vision, Purpose and Priorities (2014 – 2017)

Sands’ primary focus is the loss of babies’ lives and the impact of that loss on everyone affected – parents, families, health professionals.

Sands exists to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, to improve the bereavement care received by parents and families, and to promote research to reduce the number of babies dying. They aim to focus around and support those three aims in everything they do – the services they run, the public health messages they promote and the way they raise money.

Sands’ Vision
Sands’ vision is for a world where fewer babies die and when a baby dies anyone affected by the death receives the best care and support for as long as they need.

Sands’ Purpose
Sands’ purpose is to: support anyone affected by the death of a baby; work in partnership with health professionals to ensure that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care; and promote improvements in practice and fund research that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

Sands’ Values
We are compassionate, dedicated and strive for excellence in everything we do. Our aim is to provide inclusive and informed support; our response is individual and sensitive. Our working relationships are collaborative, based on trust, integrity and respect. We are passionate about sharing and improving knowledge.

Sands’ vision, purpose and priorities (2014 – 2017)

Charity Registration No. 299679