Sponsored by PEEPS Charity: A Facilitated Grief Support Group for Parents Bereaved by HIE to Find Acceptance After the Shock, Connection With Others and Healing

Walking Together For Understanding and Healing

When the unthinkable happens, it’s hard to find others who understand your grief and that can leave you feeling more isolated.

This facilitated online group offers an alternative to that feeling of isolation.

It provides a gentle and kind space to listen and talk with other parents who are facing the same challenges so that you may gain insights and new perspectives.

This group is where your grief is honoured and your child is remembered.

A Community-Building Space Just for You

This specialized grief support group provides a nurturing environment for parents whose children have died from HIE.

Unlike structured courses or educational programs, we offer a gentle, flowing conversational space where your feelings, stories, and experiences matter and are heard and honoured and your child is remembered.

Here, you’ll find understanding from others who truly know your journey, have the opportunity to have moments of reflective silence, share stories if you’d like, and discover ways to navigate your grief together.

Many parents find that the deep connections formed in this safe space naturally evolve into meaningful, lasting friendships that continue beyond the group – friendships built on shared understanding and mutual support.

What You'll Find in This Group

Connection & Understanding:

Share your story with others who have similar experiences and truly understand
Deep understanding from others who truly know the HIE journey
Safe space to share your child’s story and honour their memory in meaningful ways

Honouring Special Times:

Support during challenging calendar dates and anniversaries
We’ll help with alternative ways to get through the holiday season and special events, such as the opportunity to co-create Seasonal Honouring Ceremonies to mark significant occasions that is authentic to your grief
The opportunity to attend a special New Year’s event focused on reflection and renewal

A Space That Holds You with a Trauma-Sensitive Approach:

No pressure atmosphere to share if and when you are ready
Recognition of both grief and trauma needs, with moments of silence for reflection
Freedom to express emerging feelings and needs, with professional guidance through difficult emotions

Personal Growth & Support:

Learn from others’ experiences and discover new coping strategies to navigate your grief journey
Develop resilience through shared group wisdom and specialized resources
Build connections that can last beyond the group

Session Structure During Our Time Together

Each 60-minute gathering includes:
Gentle opening exercise
Open and optional sharing or guided discussion
Quiet moments for reflection
Resource sharing
Gentle closing practice

Group Details

Group Size: a small group limited to 4-8 parents, ensuring everyone has time to contribute

When: as soon as possible, register early to help influence the final day/time selection

Duration: weekly 60-minute sessions over 8 weeks

Format: online via Zoom

Cost: no cost to you – fully funded by PEEPS Charity

What Makes This Group Different?

We’ll provide professional, trauma-informed support that understands the shock of a sudden medical condition and dashed hopes.
Most grief support groups, while valuable, aren’t specifically designed for the traumatic nature of HIE-related loss so you won’t hear anyone here saying insensitive things like “well, you can have another child”.
Our group is facilitated by a registered psychotherapist with extensive trauma training and specialized grief expertise, ensuring a non-judgemental and contained holding space for processing both grief and trauma.

Meet Your Facilitator
Santou Carter

This group is led by a multi-award-winning psychotherapist with a specialism in loss, trauma and grief, and with over 25 years of experience in group facilitation.

Her specialized qualifications include:

Extensive experience supporting families and staff in the NHS NICU wards
Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider in traumatic grief which means she knows how to handle your trauma and grief
Advanced training in Complicated Grief Treatment, so she knows how to help people get unstuck from their trauma
Family Therapy and Narrative Therapy, which means she understands the dynamics of families and the lack of support that parents can experience sometimes

This unique combination of trauma expertise and grief specialization ensures you receive support that truly understands the complexity of HIE-related loss so you can feel lighter from each session.

Part of PEEPS' Comprehensive Support

This charity ensures that no parent walks this journey alone.

This facilitated support group is one aspect of PEEPS Charity’s commitment to supporting families affected by HIE.

Through initiatives like Sulley’s Fund, named in memory of a precious little boy who experienced HIE, PEEPS provides various forms of emotional and practical support to families touched by HIE.

For Medical and Healthcare Professional Referrals

When to Refer

Consider referring parents to this group when you observe:

Signs of isolation or desire to connect with others who understand
Difficulty finding others who understand HIE-specific grief
Struggles with significant dates or milestones
Would benefit from talking about their loss in a contained environment
Need for structured, professional support alongside peer connection
Readiness to engage in group support and requiring a gentle approach

Covered and Confidential

All groups are fully funded by PEEPS Charity
Your privacy and comfort are our highest priority

Taking the Next Step to Feel Better Sooner

Ready to take the next step to find out more?

1. Complete a brief form through PEEPS Charity to indicate your interest

2. We’ll contact you to discuss the group and scheduling

3. You’ll meet one-to-one with Santou, the facilitator, to see if this group support would be a helpful approach for you

4. If the current group is full, you’ll be placed on our waiting list for the next available session

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