Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust's bereavement specialist midwife receives top recognition award from leading baby loss charity

An Ormskirk midwife has received a special recognition award from one of the country’s leading baby loss support charities.

Jo Unsworth, a Bereavement Specialist Midwife for Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, received the honour at the Mariposa Awards, run by leading baby loss support charity, The Mariposa Trust.

The awards look for midwives, nurses, bereavement midwives, doctors and community members who have gone above and beyond in the care and support that they have provided for people who have experienced baby loss.

The Mariposa Trust provides free support to people affected by baby loss, pregnancy after baby loss, fertility, adoption and more. The Trust has become the leading support charity in this field, reaching more than 50,000 people a week.

Charity Founder and CEO Zoe Clark-Coates MBE said “Heartbreakingly, around 700 babies die every day in the UK, whether that’s in pregnancy, birth or infancy and our awards are a chance for parents to show their gratitude to those individuals who helped them navigate one of life’s toughest challenges.

“Despite baby loss affecting so many each year, it is still not widely spoken about which can leave families struggling for support, but our wonderful winners and nominees are a lifeline to grieving parents and families at a time that can feel so isolating and that’s why we want to celebrate them.”

The evening was hosted by actress and presenter Kym Marsh, with a host of celebrity supporters and ambassadors presenting the awards, including Rio and Kate Ferdinand, ‘Made in Chelsea’ star Louise Thompson, ‘This Morning’ doctor Larisa Corda, Sky Sports James Green, and the Chief Midwife of England, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE.

Jo said: “It was a huge shock to be nominated and it was lovely to receive such recognition.’’