Forever Stars
Forever Stars is a registered charity run by volunteers, dedicated to supporting families experiencing baby loss, including early miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal loss. We offer compassionate assistance from the time families are in the hospital and throughout their lifelong journey of grief. Our services are available to all family members, regardless of when they seek support, whether immediately after their loss or many years later.
Project Overview
Impact
Before Forever Stars was established in 2014, there was no local support in Nottingham for families experiencing baby loss once they left the hospital. This lack of support left families feeling isolated, unsupported, and struggling to cope with their new "normal." It is often said that when a family suffers baby loss, they lose their social life, their regular support network, and their confidence, making it hard to see past their grief and move forward. Forever Stars provides both professional and peer support, helping families connect with others who have had similar experiences. The charity helps people feel less isolated and encourages them to talk about their babies. Importantly, we give families hope for their future—hope that honors the baby they have lost while allowing them to look ahead with optimism as they manage their grief.
Our play therapy service is vital for families. Accessing this service through the NHS can take as long as five years, by which time a young child’s well-being, emotional development, and educational success can be significantly impacted. With the support of people like you, Forever Stars can offer appointments within two weeks and guarantee an initial play therapy period of 15 weeks.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Forever Stars is entirely funded by the generosity of our supporters; we do not receive any funding from the NHS or the government for our play therapy services. While much of our work is carried out by volunteers, we employ professional therapists to ensure the best possible support for traumatised young children, particularly those dealing with baby loss.
Play therapy sessions cost £55 per hour, plus up to £10 for materials per session. The total cost for one thousand sessions is £60,000. Our own fundraising activities have raised £40,000.
How we’ll spend the money raised
The money raised will be used to purchase creative materials for the children to use in play therapy sessions. It will also help us facilitate sessions with play therapy professionals.
Check out the live projects we're supporting
Derian House Childrens Hospice
We provide respite and end-of-life care to more than 400 babies, children and young people across the North West. The care we provide is free for families, but services cost £6 million to run every year. Our help extends right across the family to brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents.
Sydenham Garden
Sydenham Garden provides therapeutic gardening and and arts and crafts groups for people with mental health difficulties and dementia - in the beautiful setting of a nature reserve and community food growing site. It is a source of peace and joy, a real sanctuary when people are going through tough times.
Hounds for Heros
We’re a small passionate team dedicated to supporting those who have served or are serving our country, who have become disabled through injury or illness. Our experienced trainers, volunteers, and staff work together to provide life-changing assistance dogs that offer not only physical support but emotional strength and independence.
