Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2023: Charity holds a special place in the heart
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Held In Our Hearts, which offers support and counselling to bereaved families who have lost a baby or infant, has been announced as the charity partner for this year’s Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA).
The Scottish charity has been supporting parents and siblings through its bereavement support for over 40 years with one-to-one peer support and counselling as well as support meetings and annual events for bereaved parents.
There is also support for siblings through a special fund set up by a bereaved family who lost their twin daughter, Lyle in 2019. Lyle’s Light gifts age-appropriate books to families to help their children understand grief after the loss of their sibling.
The charity began offering its support to families across Highland in 2021 partnering with Raigmore Hospital which supports early intervention for parents.
Held In Our Hearts provides much-needed support for families and receives around 10-12 new referrals a week from families, health care professionals and other charities across Scotland.
Such has been the demand for its services, the charity did not furlough its staff during Covid ensuring parents always had its support. They remained a light at a dark time during Covid and continue to be there for those who need them giving flexible and person-centred care and hope for the future.
Held In Our Hearts was overwhelmed to be chosen as the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards charity partner for 2023 and to receive recognition for the vital work it does in the area.
Lindsay Donaldson is the peer supporter and hospital liaison for the charity in Highland. Having experienced loss herself, she uses her lived experience to support other families after their loss. "To be chosen as the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2023 charity is just fantastic and I’m sure this recognition will help increase awareness of the bespoke, specialist support Held In Our Hearts provides across the Highlands.
“Having been personally supported by the charity a few years ago, I know first-hand the benefit of speaking to someone who understands what it means to lose a baby or indeed, multiple babies. Using my experience of grief and loss I try to help validate a parent’s grief, normalise all the unfamiliar emotions experienced, and ultimately aim to reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation. It's not an easy journey and whilst everyone's path is different, no one should have to walk all of it alone."
The charity has also been supported by local businesses. Owner of the Glen Mhor Hotel,
Inverness, Victoria Erasmus, has donated a meeting room space in memory of her daughter Indigo. She added: "We are delighted to be able to support Held In Our Hearts. The work and support they offer at possibly the worst time a family will face is phenomenal. There are no words to describe the loss of a baby or the grief process and having this external support really makes a massive impact on the families involved."
HITA director, Marina Huggett, added: “The HITA board is honoured to raise awareness and give support to HIOH. When I discovered the marvellous work they do it struck a very personal chord in my heart. Having lost our baby son James some years ago, I understand first-hand how devastating this can be for families. It’s simply wonderful that this service is now available across the Highlands and Islands.”
To find out more about Held In Our Hearts and how it can support you, visit
https://heldinourhearts.org.uk/highland-support/
For more information about the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2023 visit www.hita-awards.com
The shortlist will be announced in July.
