Work can start on new baby loss bereavement centre at Birmingham Women’s Hospital

Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity has reached the £3m target for its Woodland House Appeal, meaning families experiencing the heartbreak of pregnancy and baby loss at Birmingham Women’s Hospital will soon benefit from a safe haven in which to grieve - away from the hustle and bustle of the busy maternity ward. 

A purpose-built, standalone bereavement centre, Woodland House is completely charitably funded, with hundreds having championed the appeal and donated since its launch three years ago. Thanks to the generosity of the public, businesses and philanthropic organisations, work can now start on this pioneering centre, which will not only set a new standard of bereavement aftercare nationally and internationally, but act as a blueprint for others to follow. 

Birmingham Women’s Hospital is one of only two dedicated women’s hospitals in the UK. As well as featuring the largest single-site maternity unit in the country, delivering over 8,000 babies every year, it is also home to a specialist fetal medicine centre, which deals with more complicated pregnancies from across the region and beyond.

Mark Brider, CEO at Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity, said: “Approximately 2,000 families experience pregnancy or baby loss at our hospital every year. Many of these brave families have shared their heartbreaking stories throughout the appeal, each one reflecting on how different their experience might have been, if somewhere like Woodland House had existed. We’re grateful to them all for inspiring more and more people to give, to make things better for our future families.

“We’re so thrilled to have reached this milestone. Woodland House will have a massive impact on our grieving families and we can’t thank our supporters enough for really championing this important cause.”

Work will begin on Woodland House this summer and when complete it will feature separate and private access from the hospital. It will boast bespoke counselling rooms, a private garden, a large communal lounge area for support groups, and a family room with its own private access and garden. It will also have a private and sensitive viewing room for families returning to see their baby, offering families the opportunity to spend time with their loved ones in comfort and serenity.

Any ongoing public fundraising Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity is aware of, has already been counted towards the £3m target. However, fundraising will continue for Woodland House as building starts, and beyond, to continue to make the centre a home away from home where bereaved families can forget about their surroundings. 

Find out more about the Woodland House Appeal or make a donation online to to donate £5, text WOODLAND to 70970 (standard terms apply).