Today (20th July 2023) thanks to partnership commissioning between Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland councils, local baby loss charity Leo’s are launching a perinatal support service.

Losing a baby during pregnancy, birth or in the days or weeks after, can be one of the most devastating and traumatic experiences a family can face. This partnership ensures these families will be able to access local specialist support in the early days, weeks and months after losing their baby.

The award-winning regional charity was commissioned by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust last year, and is also commissioned by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. Supporting the families in need will be a team of experts with first-hand experience of baby or pregnancy loss, and a dedicated counselling team offering support services including talking therapies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and creative therapies.

Lottie King, Chief Executive at Leo’s, said: “This is a pivotal moment for many in the baby loss community. Sadly, this community is underrepresented, and are still very much at risk of a perinatal illness and poor mental health. We are humbled to have been commissioned to offer this service, and care for families during their most vulnerable time.”

Luke Myer, Cabinet Member for Children at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We have recognised the need for this service for families who have sadly experienced baby-loss, and are very pleased to commission Leo’s to offer this support as part of our Family Hubs transformation work. We hope that by providing this one-to-one peer support and counselling service, we can help parents through their trauma and support their emotional health and wellbeing.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Baby loss has a huge long-term impact on families, with many families left not knowing where to turn for support and help. Having a local charity providing support from practitioners with lived experience, for our families experiencing this type of grief is something we desperately need.”

Families or professionals can now refer in via the Leo’s Perinatal website www.leosperinatal.org