About

Hi, my name is Julie Morrison, Founder and CEO of Baby Loss Retreat. In 2003 my Baby girl Erin grew her Angel wings on the 9th July 2003. I was 37 weeks pregnant and during a routine scan, we were told the devasting news that Erin’s heart had stopped. I have a Stillborn Child xx

The days after losing your child is the most traumatic time and you feel isolated and alone. In 2003 there was virtually no aftercare for parents who have lost a child. My husband and I basically went back to work and didn’t have time to grieve.

In 2014 we had the added pressure put on us by being part of the Baby ashes scandal as we never received Erin’s ashes. Interviews, reviewing what happened and how we lost Erin had to be brought up again, which added to our grief. In 2016 I had the chilling phone call to say they had found Erin’s Ashes in a funeral director’s shelf. This almost broke me but knew I had to be strong and bring something to the parents who are currently going through the same grief.

This is why I have started the charity as we believe every parent who has lost a baby are given the opportunity for Counselling, given a few days respite to reflect, talk and most importantly give the aftercare which is so needed to the parents. I am a parent of a Stillborn and I have the empathy for the hurt the parents are going through. Nobody should be told there is no help for you. I feel strongly about Baby Loss Retreat and will work to make sure that everyone who wants my help will get it and will drive to move the Charity forward with my committee members.

Email: babylossretreat@hotmail.co.uk

Hi, my name is Bryan Morrison, Co-Founder with Julie and Chair of Baby Loss Retreat. The trauma of being in the Scan room and being told your daughters heart has stopped beating will live with me forever. Erin was 37 weeks. I have a Stillborn child xx

From a Dads point of view, it was very hard to communicate and there was nothing around for fathers. I went back to work straight away thinking I was coping. I wasn’t. The trauma of the loss and also going through the Baby ashes scandal took a lot out of me.

When Julie and myself set up Baby Loss Retreat, I felt a release when talking about our loss. When fathers approach me when they also have lost a child, I feel it helps me as well as them to talk about it. Fathers are very hard to open but I am here from a male point of view if any dads feel they want to talk.

The retreats have been a great success in helping the grieving parents and look forward to building the charity to make sure every parent has the opportunity to get respite, care and can have someone to talk to.

Email address: bryan.babylossretreat@outlook.com

I volunteered for Baby Loss Retreat Charity Shop at Bellshill Shopping Centre. I had worked with Julie in the care service so I knew what Julie and Bryan went through.

46 years ago I had a little boy James who was stillborn. A little boy with angel wings. I found out Julie and Bryan had opened up Baby Loss Retreat shop so I volunteered to work there.
All those years ago there was no help for me I was told just to get on with it and I did not know any better.

It caused a lot of problems in my marriage which I thought was down to my husband but it was not, so I started at Baby Loss Retreat and even after all these years I finally found peace talking to Julie, Bryan and Heather. When customers come in the shop I ask if they know what Baby Loss Retreat is about some do, others don’t so I try to explain to them that were here to help people.

Working at Baby Loss Retreat is one of my favourite jobs of all time. Everyone has a story to tell about themselves I listen, and give them a hug if need be.
Thanks to Julie for giving me the job at Baby Loss Retreat. Bryan and Julie are always at the end of the phone thank you for reading this Margaret.