Earlier this month, I was delighted to present Sharon Luca-Chatha, founder of The Luca Foundation, with her Point of Light Award, originally awarded by the then Prime Minister last summer in recognition of her outstanding work supporting families affected by baby loss. Sharon’s dedication to this cause is deeply personal. Following the loss of her baby son, Luca, she channelled her grief into action, working to ensure that bereaved parents receive the support they need and that hospitals have access to the essential equipment required to care for babies who have died.
Through her charity, Sharon has not only helped hospitals across the country improve the provision of cuddle cots, which allow grieving families precious extra time with their babies, but has also become a leading advocate for better bereavement care. Her work is a powerful reminder that behind every statistic about baby loss are parents and families dealing with unimaginable grief—many of whom feel left without adequate support in the days, weeks, and months that follow.
This is something that has been highlighted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Baby Loss, whose reporting raises serious concerns about the shortage of bereavement midwives and the impact that staffing pressures in maternity services are having on parents who lose a child. Too often, families face inconsistent or inadequate bereavement care due to limited resources, with some receiving no follow-up support at all.
Their report also emphasises that these gaps in care can have long-term consequences. For many parents, baby loss is a traumatic event that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. Providing high-quality, compassionate bereavement care is not just a moral duty—it is essential for the wellbeing of grieving families.
One positive step in this area has been the introduction of baby loss certificates, which allow bereaved parents to receive official recognition of their loss. The Government recently extended this initiative to ensure more parents have access to these certificates, following calls from charities supporting those affected by baby loss. While this is an important acknowledgement of the heartbreak so many families endure, more must be done to ensure that every parent who experiences such a loss is aware of this option and that it is embedded within wider bereavement care.
Sharon’s campaign highlights what more can be done. She is calling for greater awareness of the emotional and psychological impact of baby loss, and for more specialist bereavement midwives to be available in hospitals, ensuring that no parent has to go through such a devastating experience without support.
Her work, and that of The Luca Foundation, deserves to be recognised and supported. While the Point of Light Award is a fitting tribute to her dedication, it is also a reminder that there is still more to do. I hope the Government will take note of Sharon’s campaign and the APPG’s findings to ensure every bereaved family receives the care and compassion they deserve.
Please see below contact details for The Luca Foundation, where you can find out more about the campaign.
Website: www.thelucafoundation.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01926 754076
Instagram: @thelucafoundation
