Baby loss charity Luna’s Fund expands support to Torbay and South Devon

A baby loss charity dedicated to supporting bereaved parents and families is expanding its services to Torbay and South Devon.

Luna’s Fund has been providing support to families in the Plymouth area since 2018 and expanded into Cornwall in 2024. The charity now plans to bring its services to Torbay, working alongside the maternity team at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

The charity offers a range of support to parents from the beginning of their baby loss journey and continues to walk alongside families as they navigate pregnancy after loss and life after loss.

Founded in memory of Luna Valentina Conroy, who was born sleeping on 29 November 2017, the charity was established by her mother, Aimee Green, who now serves as its chief executive.

Aimee said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the midwifery team at Torbay Hospital to bring our services to the area. It has been an ambition of ours to expand into Torbay for many years and we plan to further expand our support to Exeter later this year.

“Our mission is to ensure that every family which experiences baby loss, walks alongside us during their journey, leaning on our lived experience and guidance as their feelings and emotions evolve. We aim to replicate our service provision that has worked so well in Plymouth for the last eight years and more recently in Cornwall in the past two years.

“The services we provide include relaxing getaways to give grieving families the time and space to process what has happened to them outside of their normal environment, and three private antenatal scans, free of charge, for those who are pregnant after loss to calm any fears and offer them the reassurance they need.

“My small team and I have lived experience of baby loss and pregnancy after loss. It makes us unique and incredibly suited to walk alongside families during their baby loss journey. A journey no parent should ever have to walk.”

Families can be referred to the charity in several ways. Midwives working with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust can make referrals with a family’s permission, while parents are also able to self-refer through the charity’s website.

Bereavement midwife Fay Martin said: “The loss of a baby before, during or shortly after birth is devastating and can impact family members in different ways and at different times.

“We work hard to make sure people are supported and receive compassionate care at this tragic time. We have been working with Luna’s Fund for several years to provide people affected by baby loss the opportunity to receive support in a rainbow pregnancy. Our new partnership will give families affected by stillbirth and neonatal death in Torbay and South Devon an opportunity to grieve together in a safe and peaceful place, away from their home.

“We are incredibly grateful to Luna’s Fund for providing this much-needed respite at a time when people need it the most.”

The new partnership will be officially unveiled on Thursday, March 26, when the High Sheriff of Devon, Caroline Darlow, will join Aimee and bereavement midwives at Torbay Hospital.

Caroline said: “When the hope and expectation of bringing new life into the world, crumbles into despair, Aimee and her team are there to provide essential, lived experience support.

“Their skilled, calm and nurturing approach helps to recognise grief, to navigate emotional and practical issues, is impactful beyond words. To know that Luna's Fund is there, to walk alongside families at their worst times, brings support, comfort and knowledge, when it is most needed.”