bliss Sign Up Information

Your Bliss May

Hi Jon,

We recently celebrated the International Nurses'' Day and so many people joined us on social media to thank our NHS heroes. Thank you to everyone for spreading positivity and kindness.

We know things might feel difficult right now, but - from the hardworking healthcare staff, to babies in neonatal care, to you reading this right now - there are heroes all around us!

“The Bliss volunteer reassured me that all my anxiety was normal and helped me feel less guilty for my time away from the unit”

Bliss Champions ensure families have somewhere to turn for information and emotional support.

Our Bliss volunteers who are normally on neonatal units are adapting to the current situation and are doing amazing work with helping parents via video call to feel less isolated and more confident.

"My son and nephew spent time on a neonatal unit; now I work there" – Jasmine’s story

"I watched the neonatal nurses give my nephew the best chance of survival, and help him to grow and thrive. They performed miracles every single day for Archer, but what resonated with me the most was the support that they gave to my sister and her husband at the most difficult time of their lives. The nurses held their hands through every piece of bad news, hugged them through the saddest of times, celebrated every milestone with them, and gave them every opportunity to feed, care for and love their baby, despite his fragility.

At this point I had been a coronary care nurse for five years, and in all my career I had never witnessed nursing on such a personal, holistic and life-changing level. I wanted to be able to support families in the way that my sister and her family had been, and to have a job where I felt like I could make a difference to a whole family."

Do you know a Little Hero who is ready for the challenge of becoming a superhero at home? 

We''ve designed superhero missions that children can complete from home. Being a superhero can be tough but, by sponsoring them, family and friends can help them along the way. Get started with these challenges:

• Bake a cake for a neighbour who has a birthday or lives alone
• Complete an indoor obstacle course
• Write a story about a superhero or someone you think is a superhero

Unlock all the missions and help us make a huge difference to babies and families by joining us. 

What''s new?

Next month...

We''ll be celebrating all the wonderful volunteers who make our work possible.

See you next month,

Natasha at Bliss.

Your Bliss August

Welcome to a very special edition of Your Bliss!

Bliss was founded in August 1979 by parents who wanted to make a radical change. Our 40th year is now coming to an end and we want to take a look back on a year of challenges and achievements.

Like most people, this year has been different than we expected, so we want to say a huge thank you for helping us to be here today, supporting babies and their families when they need us more than ever 💙

Improving care in a challenging time

In our 40th year, we''ve worked with more neonatal units than ever to improve standards of care across the UK.

5 neonatal units became Bliss Baby Charter accredited 

180 neonatal units out of 193 across the UK are now working on the Bliss Baby Charter to make improvements to their care for babies and families

Giving babies in neonatal care a voice

Bliss campaigns to ensure babies'' best interests are always put first. In our 40th year, we''ve made significant steps in our campaigns:

Neonatal Expenses Fund helps parents in Scotland with a baby in neonatal care. Since April, Scottish parents receive £8.50 each per day for food and drink, and now also have the costs of transport and accommodation covered.

Parental Bereavement Leave commenced for families across Britain in April. For the first time, all employed parents are entitled to a minimum of two weeks of paid leave if their baby or child dies.

Neonatal Leave and Pay was included in the Government''s budget this year, coming into force in April 2023. This will mean parents of a baby in neonatal care will be entitled to paid leave at around £160 per week for up to 12 weeks. 

We are currently campaigning to get Neonatal Leave and Pay introduced as soon as possible as this support is vital during financially uncertain times.

Helping families feel less isolated

“The Bliss Champion was a kind, compassionate and sensitive ear when I needed it the most.”

Our Bliss Champion volunteers normally visit neonatal units across the country to listen and offer support to families.

In our 40th year, around 6,500 people spoke to a Bliss Champion across 50 different units. 

In the last few months however, our Champions were not able to make their usual visits. In response, we have launched a brand new virtual one-to-one support service so that our trained volunteers can provide parents with emotional and practical support via video call. This service is available now across the UK to parents on the unit and those who have recently returned home.

Keeping up with an ever-changing world

This year, we''ve been working hard to ensure we are providing the reliable and accurate information that families of premature or sick babies need. 

Our COVID-19 information is being continuously updated with the latest guidance both for families on the unit and those at home who are feeling anxious about the health of their baby or child. It has been viewed more than 43,000 times. 

We have updated our information for parents going home from the neonatal unit, which includes a free printed booklet that has already reached 10,000 people. 

Going the distance while keeping your distance

Our events this year have not gone as planned, with COVID-19 leaving many face to face fundraising events cancelled or postponed. We''re so grateful to everyone embracing our usual Bliss events from home instead!

Bliss Little Heroes has seen many children become superheroes for the week! Like Noah, who stayed up past his bedtime to join one of the #ClapForCarers while wearing his homemade Little Heroes cape. Or Sophie, who went on a superhero walk close to home. 

Go the Distance for Bliss has been our most popular virtual event as you can choose your own challenge, time and distance. 154 people have pledged to go 12,500 miles in total! They''ve raised more than £20,000 so far to support babies born premature or sick. With larger fundraising events still cancelled for now, your support through our virtual events is more important than ever.

What''s coming up?

We''re so excited for our 41st year! Things may be uncertain in the world, but we know for sure that we''re going to continue making a positive difference to the lives of babies born premature or sick, and their families. Thank you for making a change with us!

Next month...

We''ll share some of your favourite milestones for babies in neonatal care.

See you next month,

Natasha at Bliss.

Welcome to the Bliss family 💙

Hi Jon

Thanks for signing up to receive our monthly e-newsletter Your Bliss ☺️

Each month we’ll send you the latest news and updates about our work supporting families and professionals, campaigning for change and funding life-changing research.

The next edition will be coming to your inbox soon, in the meantime:

• Learn more about Bliss and what we do
• Read inspiring stories from parents, health professionals and more

We hope you don''t, but if you would no longer like to receive these emails you can unsubscribe at any time by hitting ‘unsubscribe’ at the bottom of the email.

Your Bliss June

Hi Jon,

Much of the work we’re doing to support premature and sick babies and their families today simply wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers - past and present.

Bliss volunteers get involved in every area of our work, from helping us ensure families have the right information and support, to supporting our work to help neonatal units provide the best possible care, and raising the funds we need to keep going.

Whether you’ve supported a family or a campaign, helped on the neonatal unit, shared your story or represented the interests of special care babies, never has your dedication made such a difference.

This #VolunteersWeek we’d like to say a huge thank you and shine a spotlight on a few of the many ways people volunteer with Bliss!

"I volunteer as a parent assessor for the Bliss Baby Charter. I love being able to use my experience (as a mum to twin boys born at 30 weeks) to ask questions, offer advice and my view from a parent''s perspective."

"The principles behind the Bliss Baby Charter - placing families at the centre of the babies'' care - is so important to me which is why I jumped at the opportunity to help neonatal units who are working to achieve accreditation.

At these challenging times, the importance of making sure families can still be as involved as possible in their babies'' care cannot be underestimated, and I would hope the work units have been doing around the principles contained in the Bliss Baby Charter stand them in good stead to meet these challenges." - Megan

Together with the vital help of healthcare professionals and parent assessors, we support neonatal units in achieving changes that give babies the best outcomes as part of the Bliss Baby Charter. 

"As an information content reviewer, I am helping to support parents in neonatal units across the UK."

"Good, consistent communication is a keystone in supporting parents when their baby is on a neonatal unit. Bliss’ information leaflets have a crucial role in helping parents understand the many difficult issues they might face during their neonatal journey." - Alan, Consultant Neonatal Paediatrician 

Healthcare professionals and families help us review and update our online and printed information.

“No one will ever understand how much we were helped through those darkest moments by the NICU staff and Bliss volunteers."

"Bliss volunteers take time out of their own lives to support strangers and are truly amazing. The other work Bliss does is also wonderful – the research they support is invaluable to babies and families in years to come, and the way they champion the need for parents’ rooms on units is vital. I don’t know how we would have done the journey to the hospital every day.” - Claire, mum to Jakob and Isla, born at 30 weeks and 3 days

Our Bliss volunteers who are normally on neonatal units are available for one-to-one conversations via video call. If you want to talk to a Bliss volunteer virtually, email hello@bliss.org.uk or book here. 

Thank you to everyone who''s supported our campaign calling on governments across the UK to provide an emergency package of support to parents with a baby in neonatal care during COVID-19.

Together, we''ve already reached more than 3,500 signatures and your support has helped us to raise awareness of the impact of the pandemic on the neonatal experience in Parliament.

Josie Anderson, Bliss Campaigns and Policy Manager, recently spoke about our Parents Aren’t Visitors campaign to the House of Commons'' Petitions Committee. You can watch a clip here.

What''s coming up?

Next month...

Parents share their experiences of going home from the neonatal unit, as well as an update from us on how we''re supporting parents leaving neonatal care.

See you next month,

Natasha at Bliss.

Your Bliss October

Hi Jon,

Today we’re coming together to say thank you to the amazing staff at neonatal units!

We''re sharing stories of appreciation and well-being tips for healthcare professionals all day on our social channels. How do you appreciate the work of staff on neonatal units? Tell us by joining in with the #ThankYouNeonatalWorkers

"COVID-19 has hit us all, every single family in the neonatal unit, like a ton of bricks on top of the already turbulent journey of having a baby born poorly or premature. But we have been incredibly lucky to be at Royal Stoke Neonatal Unit, with the fantastic nurses, doctors, and consultants who all help to save our babies’ lives. They not only take care of their medical needs but also help with the difficulty of being separated by sending pictures, messages and videos via vCreate. We would have been lost in complete devastation without this. #ThankYouNeonatalWorkers" 

- Bobby, dad to baby Fletcher born at 24+4 weeks

"The nurses were brilliant and helped me so much, answering all of our questions and giving me a hug whenever I needed one. I wanted to breastfeed Piper but didn’t think I would be able to with her having not been fed while she was being treated for HIE. They got me started with expressing so that when Piper was ready, she could feed. #ThankYouNeonatalWorkers"

- Chelsea, mum to Piper born full term with HIE

"After four months of me being in the neonatal unit, my parents took me home weighing a ''massive'' 4lb 6oz. All the hard work of the doctors and nurses, not just in treating me but also in supporting my parents through the darker days and celebrating the good ones with them, had paid off! #ThankYouNeonatalWorkers"

- Samantha, born at 25 weeks in 1996

Our research with neonatal healthcare professionals shows that their mental health is impacted by their work.

That’s why we’re also supporting WaterWipes’ Pure Foundation Fund, a new bursary scheme, which celebrates and recognises the incredible work of all the healthcare professionals involved in bringing new life into the world, including our amazing neonatal workers. Nominations close on 30 November 2020.

The winner will receive £2,500 for use in their department, and to further support care for parents and babies. 

Tu at Sainsbury''s release their first clothing range for premature babies

We know how special it is to choose your baby’s first outfit, and dressing your baby is just one of the ways that families can get involved in their baby’s care on the unit.

That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Tu at Sainsbury''s on their new clothing range for premature babies. Sizes range from 2lbs to 4lbs and the range is now available online at tu.co.uk and in selected Sainsbury''s stores.

What''s new?

Next month...

We''ll be raising awareness about the hurdles babies and parents face, and overcome, every single day by sharing what parents wished they had known about neonatal care this World Prematurity Day. 

See you next month,

Natasha at Bliss.

Your Bliss July

Hi Jon,

Going home from the neonatal unit is a day many parents of premature or sick babies look forward to and can feel really exciting!

But we know from parents that there can also be a lot to think about when bringing your baby home. 

"We left the NICU in March, then four days later lockdown was announced. I’ve never felt so isolated and overwhelmed in those early days at home with a tiny baby and no health professionals allowed round. I found it really difficult, especially going from having 24/7 care and support from the amazing neonatal team." - Samantha 

We’re excited to launch a new, free information booklet to support parents of babies in neonatal care, which has everything that parents need to know about going home from the neonatal unit. 

We have also updated our online information about going home from the neonatal unit, covering topics like preparing to be discharged, what might happen after arriving home, and where you can get support. 

The highs and lows of going home – Victoria’s story

"Whilst Arthur was in hospital, there was an element of adrenaline keeping us going. Once I got home the exhaustion caught up with me. Neonatal intensive care is a world that you unexpectedly get thrown into, and I’ve found it difficult to share my feelings with friends and family.

It was only when I left the bubble of the hospital and got home that the trauma of a premature birth and the experience of neonatal intensive care hit me. I was diagnosed with PTSD and I was lucky to receive CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) very quickly.

It''s been a year and a half since we bought Arthur home and, over that time, it has become much easier. If I were to give advice to anyone bringing a child home from hospital it would be: first, to accept support from friends or family - whether that’s cooking, taking the baby for a walk whilst you rest, or caring for other siblings. And second, to reach out to other parents who have had similar experiences."

What''s new?

Next month...

We''ll share some of the ways we''ve made a difference to the lives of babies in neonatal care in our 40th year. 

See you next month,

Natasha at Bliss.

Your Bliss November

Hi Jon,

Today, on World Prematurity Day, we want more families to know they’re not alone.

We know this year has been isolating for so many reasons, that''s why more than ever Bliss wants families to know they have somewhere to turn for information and support. We’re asking everyone who has been touched by a neonatal experience to share what you wish someone had told you about neonatal care using #IWishIdKnown.

Together, in partnership with WaterWipes, we are also celebrating the hurdles overcome by babies in neonatal care every day through our free baby milestone cards.

Please join us today and help us raise awareness for the 15 million babies born early every year around the world, and all the families, friends and health professionals who are a part of the neonatal journey too. 

#IWishIdKnown what amazing care my daughter would have - Georgina''s story

"#IWishIdKnown what amazing care my daughter Lilah would receive from all the nurses and doctors at Gloucester Hospital Neonatal Unit! We had a lovely doctor, Julia, who kindly explained neonatal care to us and what to expect beforehand. Lilah was born at 30 weeks in October, just last month, and has exceeded at everything she has done from day one. When we weren’t on the neonatal unit, we could ring staff 24/7 which helped us to feel supported in such a strange time. Lilah just had her feeding tube taken out and she’s coming home very soon after six long weeks! We’re so excited to start our journey together as a family."

Helping parents to feel supported

We know, more than ever, how important it is for parents to feel supported and connected to their premature or sick baby. That’s why we are delighted to be working with our long-term partner Pampers this World Prematurity Day to launch a new animation to help families on the neonatal unit make the most of their time with their baby.

The video will be available to parents on neonatal units via the vCreate platform. Keep an eye on our social media channels over the coming weeks to hear how you can nominate a neonatal unit to receive tablets and Wi-Fi dongles, funded by Pampers, to help parents stay connected to their baby even when they can’t physically be there. 

New Pampers advert about neonatal care

We want to let you know that a new Pampers television advert will be airing tonight at around 8.15PM during the Great British Bake Off on Channel 4. This will launch the #PampersforPreemies campaign to provide their specially designed premature baby nappies free of charge to units across the UK. 

We have worked in consultation with Pampers to ensure the advert - which was filmed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic - reflects the realities of having a baby in neonatal care, and it is great to be able to raise awareness in this way. 

However, we know that the content of the advert may be upsetting for some families so please know that we are here if you need us on hello@bliss.org.uk.  

What''s on?

Next month...

We''ll be sharing seasonal stories and ways to get involved this Christmas ☃

See you next month,

Natasha at Bliss.

Your Bliss December

Hi Jon,

Many babies and their families will be spending their first Christmas on the neonatal unit this month, and we wanted to let them know we''re thinking of them.

We know December can be a difficult time for parents, who often feel that they have to put on a brave face when they might be struggling themselves. If you feel you need a bit of extra support over the Christmas period, we''re here for you with our free information and support.

Some of our supporters have also shared their messages of hope to families on the neonatal unit this Christmas.

Messages of hope to parents 💙

"Christmas Eve was the first time we held our little one - nine days after he was born. It was the best present we could have ever wished for! But we also made time to spend with family, as it''s just as important to make sure you take a little guilt free time out to recharge and give your all to your baby." - Komal 

"Spending Christmas in hospital was very difficult, particularly as I had a three year old at home. The guilt of trying to make it a ''normal'' Christmas when it was anything but was quite overwhelming, but the staff at St Thomas'' NICU were incredible and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Be kind to yourself and do what is best for your family." - Rebecca 

"Don’t apologise for doing the holidays your way. I gave my daughter her first bath on Christmas Day and it was the best present ever. Be kind to yourself: it’s ok to feel sad, to feel guilty for having a drink with dinner even! But it’s a very personal experience. No one can tell you how to feel or how you should feel. Just do what you need to do." - Sarah

Congratulations to our Christmas competition winner - Rosie-Mae!

We''re delighted that the winner of our Christmas card competition is Rosie-Mae! Born 14 weeks premature and now two years old, Rosie-Mae has illustrated a lovely Christmas tree for our festive cards 🎄

Important campaign update

We’re delighted that NHS England Guidance has included recommendations for neonatal services that parents should not be considered visitors to their babies.

Since the start of the pandemic, Bliss have been campaigning for unrestricted access for parents with babies in neonatal care and this update is a positive step towards helping parents be supported to be with their baby at this time.

A huge thank you to everyone involved with this campaign, helping us ensure #ParentsArentVisitors continues to be a priority.

Bliss launches a new Christmas appeal

Our Christmas appeal is supporting babies who need specialist care this Christmas.

Our amazing Bliss Champions are providing support via email, on video calls and in person where they are allowed to. We simply can’t continue to support families and babies who need extra care without you, so thank you so much to everyone who has already sent a gift.

If you are able to donate this Christmas, then there’s still time. 

What''s coming up?

Next month...

We''ll look ahead to our vision for the year, and update you on an exciting project we''re working on.

Have a wonderful Christmas, and our best wishes for the New Year!

See you in 2021,

Natasha at Bliss.

Help support babies in neonatal care and their families by making a donation.