£16,000 donation helps bereaved parents stay together during loss
A BEREAVEMENT room at Glangwili Hospital has been transformed thanks to a generous grant from a volunteer-led Sands group, providing a bespoke pull-down double bed to better support families experiencing the loss of a baby.
The specially designed fitted bed, costing more than £16,000, has been installed in the bereavement room on the labour ward and allows parents to remain close and comfort one another during an incredibly difficult time.
The room forms part of the hospital’s newly built Labour Suite and is fully self-contained, with a kitchenette, small dining area and en-suite bathroom. However, until now it only contained a birthing bed and a single sofa bed, limiting the ability for partners to rest together.
Feedback from bereaved families, shared through Sands and local parent support groups, highlighted how important physical closeness can be following the loss of a baby. Families said the ability to share a bed could provide comfort, empathy and a sense of togetherness at a time of profound grief.
The funding was raised by volunteers from Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire Sands, part of the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity. Volunteers Hayley Vallance, Astra Shipton and Sioned Twose raised more than £20,000 by organising a burlesque-inspired charity event, ‘Zoo-la-la’, held at Manor House Wildlife Park in September 2025.
The volunteer-led group supports anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby across Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Alison Jones, Clinical and Operational Lead Midwife, said the new bed would make a significant difference to families’ experiences.
“The loss of a baby is a devastating experience, and the environment in which families grieve can make a significant difference,” she said.
“This bespoke bed allows parents to be physically close, to hold each other, and to share their grief in a space that respects their need for privacy and comfort.
“It will have a profound impact, and we’re incredibly grateful to Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire Sands for making it possible.”
Sands volunteers Hayley Vallance and Astra Shipton said the fundraising effort was deeply personal.
“Our fundraising is in memory of George, Owen and all the babies gone too soon, and to help raise awareness of the vital support that Sands and Hywel Dda provide to families when they need it most,” they said.
“We hope this specialist bed will bring comfort and dignity to families during incredibly difficult times. Couples deserve the right to be together at such moments, and we feel honoured to have supported such a meaningful improvement to care within our community.”
Jen Coates, Director of Bereavement Support and Community and Volunteering at Sands, praised the volunteers’ efforts.
“We are so grateful to Hayley, Astra and Sioned for all their hard work supporting bereaved families in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire,” she said.
“By fundraising for a new bed on the labour ward at Glangwili Hospital, our amazing Sands volunteers have made a huge difference to bereaved families’ experiences at such a difficult time.”
Sands is the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, supporting everyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, while Hywel Dda Health Charities is the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, helping enhance care and environments for patients and families across west Wales.
