Mission Statement
SANDS (Qld) Inc. provides mutual support, information, education and advocacy for parents and their families who experience the death of their baby to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and other reproductive losses.
Support Meetings
Bereaved parents who have experienced the loss of their baby at any gestation and any type of loss are welcome to attend the support meetings. All SANDS support groups are run by our parent supporters who have experienced the death of their baby and have support training. The support group is set up for parents/family to talk, listen and share experiences in a safe non-judgemental and caring environment.
Regional Queensland Support Meetings
Support meetings are held in the SANDS office, in member's homes in Brisbane and across Queensland. They take the form of coffee mornings, coffee afternoons or night support meetings. These support meetings are casual gatherings of bereaved parents who share the experience of the death of their babies.
Very often the feelings that parents experience after their baby has died can be confusing, even frightening. It can be a great comfort to be in the company of other parents who have been through a similar experience.
When you attend a support meeting, generally a SANDS member who is further into their grief journey will be there to welcome parents and to put parents at ease.
There is no pressure to share your story. If you would prefer to listen to other parents, that is perfectly fine. The only expectation on you is to respect other parents' right to speak and their right to privacy.
Many parents find that attending a support meeting can help them on their grief journey by being able to share their fears, grief or by listening to other parents.
Some parents perspectives on support meetings -:
'I was really apprehensive about going to a meeting but for Paul and I it was a relief to meet other parents.' Jane, 34
'I almost had an obsession and went to any coffee morning that I could. I needed to know I wasn't the only Mum out there hurting.' Lisa, 30
'I didn't think a night support meeting was a man thing but I went for my partner, to support her. I was surprised that other fathers were there and they talked openly about their babies. It was good.' Michael, 28
Children are welcome at these meetings so parents can expect to find new babies, pregnant mums or toddlers at the support meetings. Whilst this may be difficult for some parents to manage, it may be easier in the company of like-minded people. Mothers and fathers are welcome to the support meetings.
Some support meetings will have particular topics and even if the topic is not relevant to you at the time you are welcome to come along.
Brisbane Support Meetings
(SANDS House) 505 Bowen Tce, New Farm
Ph 3254 3422
Please note that sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control dates may change and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
January 2012
Event: |
Night support |
Time: |
7pm - 9pm |
Date: |
Wednesday 25th January 2012 |
February 2012
Event: |
Coffee Morning |
Time: |
10am - 12pm |
Date: |
Thursday 9th February 2012 |
Event: |
Night support |
Time: |
7pm - 9pm |
Date: |
Wednesday 22nd February 2012 |
Regional Queensland Support Meetings
Not all areas in Queensland will have support meetings. If you are interested in starting a support group in your area please contact the SANDS (Qld) office on 07 3254 3422.
Please note that sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control dates may change and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Ayr
| Contact | Phone | |
| Andrea | 4783 4324 | |
Please phone for details of the next meeting. |
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Cairns
| Contact | Phone | |
| Nerissa | 4098 3089 | |
| Kelly | 4033 7917 | |
The Cairns support group meets at the Manoora Community Centre, cnr Marchant and Murray Sts, Manoora.
Meetings are on the 2nd Sunday each month, 10am - 12pm. No RSVP required. |
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Caloundra
| Contact | Phone | |
| Anne | 5491 2469 | |
Please phone for details of the next meeting. |
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Gold Coast
| Contact | Phone | |
| Debbie | 0430 347 773 | 5607 0834 |
Please phone for details of the next meeting. |
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Mackay
| Contact | Phone | |
| Julie | 4959 3781 | |
Please phone for details of the next meeting. |
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Nambour
| Contact | Phone | |
| Emma | 5476 3063 | |
Please phone for details of the next meeting. |
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Narrangba/Burpengary
| Contact | Phone | |
| Kaylene | 0414 824 496 | |
Please phone for details of the next meeting. |
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Sunshine Coast
| Contact | Phone | |
| Susan | 5412 1249 | 0450 361 104 |
Please phone for details of the next meeting. |
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Townsville
| Contact | Phone | |
| Marie | 4775 5957 (w) | 4774 6521 (ah) |
The Townsville support group meets at 143 Ross River Rd, Mundingburra. They have a Coffee Morning at 10am on the third Sunday each month And a Night Support meeting at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday each month No RSVP required. |
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Toowoomba
| Contact | Phone | |
| Anna | 4659 7511 | |
| Jen | 4696 5896 | |
The Toowoomba support group meets at the Chocolate Cottage, Highfields at 9.30am. Look for the table with the red heart.
Meetings are on the 2nd Friday each month (apart from January and December). RSVP is required |
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