SANDS AWARENESS WEEK
SPECTRUM OF SUPPORT
We caught up with Hampshire Detective Chief Inspector Rod Kenny and
Hampshire Police Federation Chair Zoë Wakefield two years on from our last interview to find out how the trailblazing force continues to support its officers throughout their fertility journey, during the highs and the lows
This year Sands Awareness Week lands
on 17-23 June 2024. The week is a time to engage with people right across the Sands community and beyond on topics and subjects which mean so much to bereaved parents and their families.
The theme this year is Finding the Words, helping everyone start conversations about pregnancy and baby loss to break the silence. Currently in the UK, 13 families a day suffer the heartbreak of losing their baby before, during or shortly after birth. More recently, Rod and Zoë held a
officers through insightful presentations from charities including Sands, Child Bereavement UK and Simon Says. “We have some really dedicated people that are doing this in addition to their
“We have made some changes in one specific area with miscarriage which has just snowballed in a really positive way into the need to support those other areas equally to level the playing field for everybody.”
Miscarriage, Baby Loss and Fertility Training Day, to help its group of devoted miscarriage and baby loss support
14 | POLICE | JUNE | 2024
function,” explained Rod. “We wanted to equip them with the right skills and training on how to handle a broad range of circumstances as that is what they will face as they go about their support roles. “It is encouraging we are now seeing a
high proportion of proactive line manager referrals to our miscarriage and baby loss support officers.” The day also provided a platform for officers to share their difficult stories, which not only breaks down barriers, but also helps improve knowledge and shine a light on where improvements need to be made.
A couple bravely
told their story of going through surrogacy.
They explained all the legal, practical, financial and emotional issues they have encountered, highlighting shortfalls in the force’s policies and procedures around surrogacy. “As a consequence of that couple, I
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