Aching Arms is a United Kingdom-based charitable organisation dedicated to supporting parents who have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after. Registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1153296, Aching Arms provides emotional comfort and practical support through the distribution of specially crafted comfort bears and a dedicated peer support service.

Mission and Activities

The core mission of Aching Arms is to offer solace and a sense of community to bereaved parents. The charity distributes comfort teddy bears to parents via maternity health professionals across the UK, including midwives, nurses, hospitals, hospices, and befriending groups. These bears serve as tangible symbols of empathy and support, intended to provide a measure of comfort during the grieving process. Each bear is given as a gift from one bereaved family to another, reinforcing the message that those affected by baby loss are not alone.

In addition to bear distribution, Aching Arms operates the Supporting Arms service, a telephone and email-based befriending platform run by bereaved parents. This service offers individuals the opportunity to speak with someone who has firsthand understanding of their experience, providing emotional support, sharing coping strategies, and helping families connect with appropriate resources.

The charity also conducts awareness training for health professionals to improve bereavement care and support provided to parents facing baby loss.

Scope of Impact

In the UK, approximately 3,000 babies are stillborn annually, with many more families affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, neonatal death, or loss through separation. Aching Arms addresses the needs of these families, as well as those confronting infertility following loss or after assisted fertility treatments.

The charity has seen a significant increase in demand for its services, having donated over 5,000 bears to bereaved families in a recent year. It collaborates with more than 160 hospitals, as well as hospices, support groups, and funeral directors throughout the UK.

Affiliations

Aching Arms is a member of the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA), an organisation committed to raising awareness, promoting global collaboration to prevent stillbirth and neonatal death, and improving bereavement care worldwide. Within ISA, Aching Arms actively participates in both the Bereavement Working Group and Advocacy Working Group.

Additionally, the charity is part of the Pregnancy & Baby Charities Network, representing UK charities focused on pregnancy and baby-related support.

Governance and Funding

As of the financial year ending July 31, 2024, Aching Arms reported a total income of approximately £299,478 and expenditures amounting to £394,384. The charity operates with four trustees and benefits from the involvement of around 142 volunteers. None of the trustees receive remuneration, and there are no employees with benefits exceeding £60,000.

Summary

Aching Arms fills a critical role in the continuum of care for families experiencing the profound grief of baby loss. Through its combination of symbolic comfort bears, peer support, and professional training, the charity offers both practical aid and emotional solidarity to bereaved parents across the UK. Its growing reach and engagement in international bereavement care initiatives underscore its commitment to alleviating the isolation and sorrow that follow such loss.

[1] https://www.achingarms.co.uk [2] https://www.achingarms.co.uk/about-aching-arms/what-we-do.aspx [3] https://www.instagram.com/achingarmsuk/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5038559 [5] https://www.fathersnetwork.org.uk/achingarms