On Wednesday 5 December, the annual baby and child memorial service will take place at Ormskirk District General Hospital. All who have experienced loss, whether recently or in the past are invited. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in this non-denominational service of carols, Christmas music and readings. Music will be provided by the Salvation Army Band.



Refreshments will be provided from 6pm and the service begins at 6.30pm, in the baby garden at Ormskirk hospital. The service will last for approximately 20 minutes. There will be an opportunity to record names of loved ones on a Christmas bauble, and place these on the tree during the service. Visitors will be able to take a bauble, with their loved ones name, home after the service to hang on their own Christmas tree. One staff member also makes personal candles for families to take home as a keepsake.



Hospital Chaplain Martin Abrams will be leading the service and he explains: “This is the fifth year that Southport and Ormskirk Hospital has offered support in this way, to families remembering lost loved ones at Christmas.



“The run up to Christmas can be a fun exciting time, but for many it can heighten a sense of loss, grief and isolation. We hope that this short, informal service will be supportive to anyone who has lost a baby or child, not just recently but anytime in the past.



“We know many some people appreciate coming every year, and some many years after a loss. Anyone who would find the service comforting is welcome to come.”



For more information please contact Martin or Jan on 01704 704639 or email: soh-tr.chaplains@nhs.net



During December there will also be an opportunity for people to record the name of a loved one - of any age - on the trees of remembrance in the prayer rooms at Ormskirk and Southport hospitals.



The Trust started using trees of remembrance four years ago, giving people an opportunity to remember loved ones by recording their name and placing it on the Christmas tree in the prayer rooms. In 2017 approximately 200 names were registered across the two sites.