Support Information
Scottish organisations which support families bereaved by SUDI:
Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity
Support and information for anyone affected by the death of a baby, before or after birth. National helpline, local parent-led support, literature and online support. Works to improve care when a baby dies and promotes research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
Scottish Cot Death Trust
This charity aims to find the answers through funding research, providing support for bereaved families, and educating the public and professionals about sudden unexpected death in infants (SUDI). Tel: 0141 357 3946.
Email: contact@scottishcotdeathtrust.org
Held in Our Hearts (formerly Sands Lothian)
A local charity providing baby loss counselling and support to families. Formerly known as SANDS Lothians, they have 40 years’ experience of offering compassionate bereavement care in the community
Contact – Telephone – 0131 622 6263
Email – info@heldinourhearts.org.uk
https://heldinourhearts.org.uk/
UK organisations providing support through Scottish networks to families bereaved by SUDI or infant death
Bliss
Support, advice and information for families of babies in intensive care and special care, including bereaved families.
Child Bereavement UK
Support, information and resources for bereaved families and for professionals.
Call our Helpline 0800 02 888 40
Twins Trust (formerly TAMBA) Bereavement Support Group
The support group exists to support all parents and carers of multiples who have experienced loss whether it was during pregnancy, at birth or at any point afterwards.
https://twinstrust.org/bereavement.html
UK organisations providing information for families bereaved by SUDI
Lullaby Trust (formerly the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID)
The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families. This charity directly supports families in England and Wales, but will provide information to families in Scotland.
Bereavement support: 0808 802 6868
Information & advice: 0808 802 6869
International organisations supporting families bereaved by SUDI and sudden child death
Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Program
The SUDC Program was created to be an international centralized resource for those affected by a sudden unexpected death in childhood, whose cause is left undetermined, unclear or unexplained. We are the only organization worldwide devoted solely to the needs of families and professionals touched by unexplained death in childhood.
UK organisations supporting bereaved families
The Compassionate Friends
An organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child or children.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Support for people bereaved by death, in any way, whatever their age, nationality or belief. Help includes counselling, bereavement support groups and advice or information on practical matters.
Samaritans
Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Telephone 
08457 909090 for the cost of a local call. Also face-to-face support.
Winston’s Wish
Helps bereaved children and young people rebuild their lives after a family death. Offers practical support and guidance to families, professionals and anyone concerned about a grieving child.
Useful Addresses
Baby MPS (Mailing Preference Service) online
Free site where parents can register online to stop or at least reduce baby-related mailings of samples, offers, advertisements etc.
British Humanist Association
Has a network of accredited funeral officiants who can help to plan and conduct a non-religious funeral ceremony.
Child Benefit Office
The online claim form for Child Benefit can be accessed at
www.gov.uk/topic/benefits-credits/child-benefit
Hospitals can also obtain small numbers of Child Benefit claim packs from National Insurance Contributions Office (NICO) Stores. Tel: 0191 225 7293.
Jobcentre Plus
Online information about Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments and a downloadable form.
National Association of Funeral Directors
Advice, a code of practice and addresses for people planning a funeral or looking for a funeral director.
National Records of Scotland (Formerly the General Registrar Office (Scotland) -GROS
Natural Death Centre
Advice for families and others on burial in a woodland or nature reserve site and on organising informal and environmentally-friendly funerals.
Relationships Scotland
Offers relationship counselling, family meditation, child contact centres and other forms of family support.
www.relationships-scotland.org.uk
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
Offers information, support and advice to people with sight problems.
Working Families
Campaigns for working families, information leaflets and helpline for families on low incomes.
