Families and staff from The Dudley Group came together at Mary Stevens Park last weekend to honour babies who have died and show bereaved families that they are never alone.
More than 500 people came together at Mary Stevens Park on Saturday 10 October for The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s Walk of Hope, remembering and honouring precious babies during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Now in its fourth year, the annual event reflects the importance of the Walk of Hope to bereaved families and the valued support provided by the Trust’s Baby Bereavement Team. The walk provided a safe and supportive space for families to remember their babies, share their stories and connect with others who understand the lasting impact of pregnancy and baby loss.
One of the most moving moments of the afternoon was hearing from two bereaved parents who shared their personal experiences of loss.
Jade Dunn spoke about her son, Noah, who was stillborn on 9th October 2025, and her daughter, Marnie, who was born in September 2026 following support from the Trust’s Baby Bereavement Team. The event took place just one day after the anniversary of Noah’s death, making the occasion particularly poignant for Jade and her family.
Taylor Dolson also shared the story of his daughter, Reeva, who sadly died in December 2021, offering a father’s perspective on the experience of baby loss.
Their willingness to share such personal stories helped raise awareness of the lifelong impact of losing a baby and the importance of ensuring every family feels heard, supported and remembered.
The Walk of Hope first took place in 2022 and has continued to grow each year. The event welcomes families whose babies passed away recently, as well as those who experienced loss decades ago, at a time when pregnancy and baby loss was often not openly discussed.
For many, the walk offers an opportunity to say their baby’s name, share their story and honour a much-loved member of their family, perhaps for the first time.
The Trust’s Baby Bereavement Team provides compassionate, individualised care to families experiencing pregnancy or baby loss, from the moment of diagnosis and throughout bereavement and beyond. The team works closely with colleagues across maternity, chaplaincy, early pregnancy and mortuary services to provide emotional, clinical and practical support, including funeral arrangements and postnatal follow-up.
The team also runs a Rainbow Service, supporting families through pregnancies following a previous loss. Working alongside midwives, doctors and sonographers, the service offers personalised care continuity throughout pregnancy and into the postnatal period.
Holly Haden Specialist Midwife Bereavement and Rainbow Service Lead, said, “To see over 500 people come together to honour and remember beloved babies was truly special. We are incredibly grateful to every family who joined us and to everyone who helped make the day possible.
“The Walk of Hope is about remembrance, connection and making sure babies are never forgotten. Pregnancy and baby loss can be an incredibly isolating experience, and gatherings like this remind families that their grief matters, their babies matter and they will always be part of their family’s story.
“Our hope is to continue growing the Walk of Hope, raising awareness and improving bereavement care across the Trust, so every family receives the compassion, dignity and support they deserve.”
The Trust hopes to build on the sense of connection and support fostered by the Walk of Hope, continuing to raise awareness and improve the environments in which bereaved families receive care.
Community support and fundraising will play an important role in helping to create calm, comfortable and private spaces where families can receive difficult news, spend precious time together and feel supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Group Chief Executive Diane Wake said: “I would like to thank every family who joined this year’s Walk of Hope, particularly Jade and Taylor for sharing their stories. Our Baby Bereavement Team are invaluable, providing compassionate care that supports families through one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
“The lasting impact of their work is clear in the strength of the community they have built and the families who return year after year to remember their babies. I am incredibly proud of the team and their commitment to ensuring no family feels alone in their grief.”
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust remains committed to ensuring families affected by pregnancy and baby loss receive compassionate, consistent and individualised care, helping them feel supported and recognised at every stage of their journey.
Forever loved, forever missed, forever remembered.