Meet our lovely team….Without the help of the trustees and volunteers, this group would not be able to carry on, their help and support are invaluable.
If you are interested in becoming a Trustee or Volunteer? Please email justine@angelsandrainbowssupport.co.uk.
Justine Maher - Founder - Trustee - Marketing and PR
I founded Angels and Rainbows back in November 2018 after suffering two losses. I lost my little boy at 24 weeks gestation in 2014 and I miscarried my 3rd child at 8 weeks gestation.
The reason why I set up this support group for other parents and families is that there was no support for me locally when I had my losses. There was nobody that I could reach out to and just talk to. Having someone to speak to and understand what you are going through is so important, I don’t want others to experience the loneliness and isolation that I felt.
I am so proud of what this group has achieved and I will continue to do my very best in spreading the word awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.
Natasha Newman -Trustee - Community and Research
I’m Natasha, my role as a Volunteer is Community and Research. I have been part of Angels and Rainbows since 2018 just after I’d had my Rainbow baby son, the previous year I had suffered the heartbreaking loss of my daughter at 21 weeks pregnant. This wonderful group has been a huge support and I’m very grateful to be a volunteer helping others.
Lisa Oakley - Trustee - Communications and Care Packages
Hello, my name is Lisa and I am the lead volunteer of Angels and Rainbows.
After the loss of our little boy at 21 weeks gestation I just knew I had to help others going through the heartache we had gone through.
As volunteers we assist and support one another which really makes this amazing team work so well together in supporting others through pregnancy & Baby loss.
Some of my roles as a volunteer include
- putting together our care and sibling packages.
- visiting & liaising with the local hospital.
- research.
- working as a team in organising events/fundraising.
I am very proud of our support group and how it has grown x
Natasha Garforth - Trustee - Lead Fundraiser
Hi I’m Natasha. My role as a volunteer for Angels & Rainbows is Head of Fundraising.
I’ve been a member of the group since 2018, after losing our eldest daughter Catarina at 40 wks plus 5.
We went into hospital to have an induction, which went terribly wrong and she passed away during an emergency c section.
We were absolutely heart broken and felt like no one knew how to help us in the aftermath, or even what to say.
Since then, my husband and I went on to have a little Rainbow, our lovely daughter who was born in 2019. Unfortunately I then had a miscarriage in 2021 at 9 weeks.
After losing Catarina, I was so relieved to find a local group of people who knew how I was feeling. Also some people who were further down the line, to offer some advice and some hope on what the future may be like.
I am so proud to be part of this amazing group of wonderful people and have made some friends for life.
Hollie Crawley - Volunteer- Mental Wellbeing
Hi, I'm Hollie. I joined Angels and Rainbows after a second trimester loss with my girl Poppy, I then went on to have 2 early losses afterwards before being blessed with my rainbow. I'm so pleased I found this support group, and I'm absolutely honoured to be a part of the volunteer team. My role is Mental Wellbeing which is something I am very passionate about. I have both professional and personal experience with Mental Wellbeing and am here to share my experience and knowledge to guide and support anybody in need. Please don't go through this journey alone.
Amanda Taylor - Volunteer - School and Remembrance Garden
Hi, I'm Amanda. I joined Angels and Rainbows as a volunteer in May 2020 after the loss of my son Ellis at 20 weeks gestation. Having lost my son in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, I felt extremely alone and the support offered was very limited due to various lockdowns and restrictions; so the advice, support and listening ears of the volunteers at Angels and Rainbows has been truly invaluable. I now hope to use my own experiences to support other families in their time of need within my role as a volunteer. My role as School and Remembrance Garden Liaison is something I am very proud of. Working in a school, I see the need and importance of further support for siblings of pregnancy and babyloss and hope to do this through the funding of resources for local schools from the amazing fundraising of the group. Aswell as continuing our work with the lovely people at Gunton Memorial Park where our new Memorial Tree is situated.
Beth - Louise Applegate- Volunteer
I wanted to become a part of the Charities Team to become a voice for those who feel silenced, those who do not feel they can share their experiences. I wanted to be able to help my family better after suffering loss myself and also losing my nieces. Our children should be remembered and honoured, not forgotten! We should be able to freely speak about our experiences and our babies without judgment or fear! I’m here to help and change the way society views and treats mothers and families that have suffered the loss of a baby!