The members of an Aberdeen support group yesterday donned gardening gloves and took up trowels to raise awareness of how miscarriages can affect women and their partners.
MISS (Miscarriage Information Support Service) planted bulbs across Aberdeen’s Hazlehead Park in support of those affected.
Joining the group was Hazlehead, Queen’s Cross and Countesswells councillor Claire Imrie.
She said: “People don’t always know how to talk about miscarriages, or support people who have had one.
“People coming together to share stories is really important.
“This is a positive group, each week is a different theme which isn’t just a sit down talk about miscarriage.
“MISS carries out sociable, active events like hikes and BBQs and I think it is great that people have this support mechanism.”
MISS will soon be expanding to stage support sessions at Rubislaw Church in Aberdeen’s city centre and hope to become a registered charity that can support people from across the whole North East.
A quarter of women in the UK are likely to have a miscarriage in their lifetime, according to miscarriage research charity Tommy’s.
Abi Clarke, who started the support group in 2017, wants to remind women they shouldn’t be ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their experience.
“We want to raise awareness of the group and encourage women and their families to be open and honest with each other,” she said.
“We want people to feel at ease when they come to group meetings.”
To support MISS and its activities, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/miss.