What to Expect at our FREE online support groups

We are so sad that you have reason to inquire about or register for one of our online support groups. There is a range of FREE support groups for people who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth, death of a baby or child. 

We hope that you will find a welcoming, safe space to experience support and connection within our community of people affected by baby or child loss. Everyone in attendance will have also experienced the heartbreak of a baby or young child dying, a baby being stillborn, a pregnancy loss (miscarriage) or medically advised termination (TFMR).

Learn more about our FREE Red Nose Support Groups 

Our support groups are held every month for up to two hours. 

Here are a few guidelines about our support groups to help you know what to expect before your first group.

• Our support groups are co-facilitated by two (wherever possible) specially trained lived experience (or peer support) volunteers, counsellors, peer support team members, or a mixture of these. 

We cannot comment on any medical issues raised by bereaved parents.

• There will be diversity within each group, including diversity of losses. In keeping with the principle of ‘no hierarchy of grief’, we recognise and respect the grief of all who attend the group to receive support in their grief.

• We understand that for some people, just coming and sitting amongst other bereaved parents will be all they seek/need, and so we do not have any expectation for you to share your grief story if you don’t feel ready or would prefer not to.

• We will try to give everyone who wishes an opportunity to share. At times, we may have to gently move people on so that each bereaved parent has the chance to be heard.

• We are committed to the privacy of each person present, so we ask that all in attendance be respectful of this as well. We will manage all your information in a confidential manner.

• Children can’t be in attendance at our support groups; This is dye to the grief stories and emotion being shared within the group. We know it can be tricky joining us from home, but given that we are wanting to create a safe environment where everyone can talk very freely about their grief, we’d ask that anyone with children joins us where they can talk privately so that they (and all within the group) don’t feel they need to be mindful of littlies being present.

•  If a child does enter the room, please turn your camera and microphone off while you tend to their needs. Don’t forget to turn them back on again when you are able. 

Thank you for your understanding with this!

• Our support groups are for anyone aged 17 and over.

• If we don’t have any registrations by the afternoon of the group, we may need to cancel the group.

• Similarly, if you are the only one in attendance – individually or as a couple – as a result of people registering but not attending, we won’t conduct the support group as we usually would, but would love to offer you the opportunity to have a support conversation with a group facilitator(s) for up to an hour.

• REGISTRATIONS are essential.

Red Nose is committed to supporting families navigating the complexities of the loss of a baby or child. To access our specialised bereavement support including: counselling, peer support programs, support groups, and resources tailored to individual needs, click here.