About Oscar’s Wish Foundation

 

Oscar’s Wish Foundation was founded in 2015 and gained charitable status in 2016. OWF provides comfort and support to parents, birthing people and siblings following the loss of a baby or babies before, during or shortly after birth (Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Neonatal death) and provides support, understanding and signposting during pregnancy after loss (PAL).

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We offer compassionate bereavement support for individuals and families across Sussex. Our services include:

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Emotional Support for those grieving a loss through our online community

Signposting to self-funded, specialist counselling services

Dedicated Support for parents, birthing people, and siblings through resources, bereavement support, lending library, “Memories of You”- memory boxes, our Love-a-Bear programme, “Making Memories”- memory boxes for siblings

Support for children through our schools and education service and resources 

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Supporting Bereaved Families in Sussex Hospitals

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We work closely with the Bereavement Team at University Hospitals, Sussex to support families experiencing loss. Our collaboration spans multiple hospital sites where we:

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Help maintain and enhance the refurbished spaces we’ve thoughtfully designed and created.

Provide comforting resources and support for grieving families, such as Memory Boxes and Love-a- Bear Memory bears.

Design gentle, calm environments where families can spend precious time with their baby/ies to make lasting memories.

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To date, we’ve led several refurbishment projects across the Early Pregnancy Unit, Day Assessment Unit and Labour Wards, creating spaces that offer peace, dignity, and compassion during incredibly difficult times.

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Supporting Bereaved Siblings in Educational Settings

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We offer our specialist resources to schools, nurseries, and childcare settings to help them better support children after the loss of a baby brother or sister. These are through a supportive pack of books, work book, feelings cards and memory bear.

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Together, we can ensure bereaved siblings receive the understanding and care they need—both at home and in their everyday environments.

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In addition, we provide:

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Dedicated online support for families and caregivers where they can ask questions about supporting children.

Monthly face-to-face support through our gentle, welcoming coffee mornings (currently paused) dedicated volunteers can offer support and signposting over a hot drink.

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Bringing Our Community Together

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At Oscar’s Wish Foundation, we host a number of memorial events throughout the year, offering families and our wider community a chance to come together, remember, and support one another in a safe and compassionate space.

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We also organise a range of fundraising events, including:

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Annual Memorial gatherings - Christmas service, Wave of Light, Baby Loss Awareness Week, Walk to Remember.​

One-off themed fun events and fundraising events throughout the year - Pumpkin Party, Pre loved Sale, Easter Family Fun, Summer Family Fun Days.

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Every event plays a vital role in helping us raise the funds needed to continue our work, maintain our projects, and support bereaved families across Sussex.

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Together we make a difference.

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What can we do for you?

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You will be joining a team of committed volunteers with lots of experience to share and support each other.

Learn new skills and make new friends.​

Bring comfort and support to members of our community who are going through an incredibly difficult period of their lives. ​

Expenses can be claimed for travel and out of pocket expenses relating to the work of the charity (i.e. buying biscuits for the volunteer meeting).​

Out of pocket expenses must be agreed with the volunteer manager in advance wherever possible.

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Expectations of volunteers

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Have enthusiasm and passion for the mission and vision of our charity. ​

Be able to dedicate time to meetings and team projects (timetable and regularity of these can be provided).

A reputation for integrity, the ability to keep commitments, and willingness to learn. ​

Have good communication skills to communicate with the committee, trustees and the rest of the team.​

Work well as part of a team and be willing to speak their mind in a way that is polite and respects others that have different ideas and opinions.​

Recognise that being a Volunteer (no matter what role you have) is an important role that has specific responsibilities. ​

Give a reasonable amount of notice should you no longer wish to volunteer with the charity. 

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DBS checks will be required. 

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Roles will be revised annually and there will be an opportunity for annual individual meetings to discuss your work with the charity.

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​Available roles:

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Voluntary role

TRUSTEE

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Voluntary role

FUNDRAISING VOLUNTEER ​

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Voluntary role

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES VOLUNTEER ​

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Voluntary role

MEETING SECRETARY VOLUNTEER

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Voluntary role

SOCIAL MEDIA VOLUNTEER

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Voluntary role

GRANT WRITING VOLUNTEER​​

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Please click on the links for full role descriptions. If you would like to find out more, please contact oscarswishfoundation@gmail.com and someone will be in touch.

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