Annual Review 2025

Abigail's Footsteps supports bereaved families following baby loss through cooling cots, specialist counselling and professional training. In 2025, 84 Abi cooling cots were delivered to hospitals across the UK and Australia; 1,289 healthcare professionals received bereavement training including 150+ student midwives; over 1,000 hours of specialist baby loss counselling were delivered across five Kent locations; and co-founder David Ward was awarded an MBE. The charity won Kent Counsellor of the Year and Kent Fundraiser of the Year.

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📋About

Abi cooling cots (enabling families to spend time with baby); specialist baby loss counselling (PEACE SESSIONS for expectant parents, rainbow pregnancy support); Abigail's Angels bereavement training for healthcare professionals; bereavement suites; bereavement garden; podcasts; Wave of Light service; baby loss conference for student midwives Custom geography from upload: Kent / UK-wide

📊Key Metrics

84 Abi cooling cots delivered to hospitals, hospices and funeral directors across the UK and Australia in 2025 Key Metric 1
1,289 healthcare professionals trained in bereavement care including 150+ student midwives at national conference; 6,000+ trained since 2020 Key Metric 2
1,000+ hours of specialist baby loss counselling delivered across 5 Kent locations; PEACE SESSIONS launched for expectant parents; new dedicated counselling room opened in Medway Key Metric 3

Key Outcomes

  • Won Kent Counsellor of the Year and Kent Fundraiser of the Year at Kent Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards; PEACE SESSIONS also recognised at same awards; co-founder David Ward received MBE for services to bereaved parents
  • Over £30,000 raised at Annual Gala; 53 runners raised nearly £30,000 at London Landmarks Half Marathon; Blossom Room at Darent Valley Hospital refurbished and opened; new office and counselling room opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Kent
  • 15th anniversary year; 5 Abi cots delivered internationally to Nepean Public Hospital Sydney; charity moved to new offices at Medway City Estate; baby loss art exhibition 'We Remember' held at Arts Café Gravesend; new ambassador and fundraising co-ordinator appointed

📍Geography

Other

2025

Our Impact 2024-25

95,744 bereaved children and young people reached in 2024-25 — a 16.6% increase year-on-year
Key Metric 1
76.5% of those in specialist one-to-one support showed measurable reduction in grief-related vulnerability (CAG scale); 95% rated experience as positive
Key Metric 2
1,145,495 digital users accessed grief content and resources; 3,637 professionals trained including 545 in supporting bereaved children with SEND
Key Metric 3
18,171 children and young people received specialist 1:1 support; 22,852 benefitted from email support; 12,766 from live chat; 459 from helpline; 21 online groups ran with 120+ participants
2024

Impact Report 2023/24

963 children, young people and families supported; 2,198 face-to-face and 1,809 online therapy sessions delivered
Key Metric 1
645 Grief Relief kits sent out; 23 staff trained in sleep therapy; 2,618 total therapy hours delivered (1,570 in person, 1,048 online)
Key Metric 2
£1.6m raised in non-Gala year entirely from voluntary sources; no government funding received
Key Metric 3
19 families attended residential weekends; 15 families attended Forever Night; 5 school partnerships including Beal High School and Clifton College; bereavement first responder support following traumatic deaths in schools