Who are We?

Roopal Shah
Trustee Chair & Peer Supporter

 

Hello, my name is Roopal, married to Michael. We are mum and dad to 2 sons: Dhillon who was stillborn in 2004 and Sahil born 2 years later.

I remember feeling terrified before we attended our 1st support meeting, only 3 weeks after Dhillon was born but it was the best thing we did. Michael and I both became heavily involved locally in providing peer support to other grieving mums and dads – and I became active working with local healthcare professionals to improve bereavement care but also make sure bereaved parents were offered an opportunity to talk with someone else who had journeyed a similar path.

Watching families we’ve supported growing together brings me so much joy. I want everyone who has experienced pregnancy or infant loss to have access to this support – and am passionate about breaking down the barriers to accessing that support we know still exist in many cultures.

Rachel Porteous
Secretary & Peer Supporter

 

 

Hello, my name is Rachel, mum to 2 sons: Samuel born 2011 and Tobias born 14 months later.

Samuel was stillborn at 37 weeks.  What a shock to be told his heartbeat had stopped.  Nothing can prepare you for the loss of your baby.  Life after is a road no one should have to travel.  Having journeyed this road 12 years now I am so grateful for the support I’ve received from people who understand and care.

Through support I’ve realised it’s healthy to talk about Samuel, to celebrate his milestones, to think of him when he comes naturally to mind, to miss him and to continue loving him. 

It’s a privilege to be involved with Babyloss Support; to be the one who now understands and cares.

Kimberley Tyler
Social Media & Peer Supporter

 

Hi I’m Kimberley, I live in the south of the county with my husband and daughters. I also have a furbaby called Elsa, she’s a very lively cockapoo! 

Babyloss Support is a charity incredibly close to my heart. The support I have received has made such a difference in my own life, and in my working life as a funeral director I’ve been able to signpost families to the charity who have also benefited from the excellent support that BLS offers. 

I passionately care that bereaved people and their families should be involved and supported throughout their grief. With my experience within the funeral industry and social media management experience, I hope to help promote the charity, and reach out to further educate funeral and professionals on best practice surrounding baby loss.

Lisa-Maria Ellis
Voulnteer

 
 
Hi my name is Lisa. I am mum to 2 boys: Beany, who was born sleeping due to a placenta abruption in October 2010 and Julius, our Rainbow who was born in June 2012.
 
I was ‘lucky’ enough to cross paths with Roopal and Michael just a few months after Beany was born and their support is the reason I am involved with the charity today. The safe haven provided by their support group was  invaluable on my healing journey and the PALS (pregnancy after loss support group) helped me cope with my second pregnancy and the worries that went along with it. The connections I made during both those times are still providing a supportive environment for my family today.
 

Deepa Masani
Trustee Vice Chair

Hello, my name is Deepa. I am a mother of two and a bereaved parent after the heartbreaking loss of my son, Jai, who was stillborn at 34 weeks. Through the deep grief of losing Jai, I experienced firsthand the importance of compassionate support and genuine understanding during such a devastating time. With my background as a lawyer and my personal experience of baby loss, I now serve as a trustee for Babyloss Support LLR. I want families to be able to find hope, comfort, and reassurance that they are not alone in their grief.

 

In time, I have learned that love does not end, and neither does the possibility of light. Jai’s absence will always be part of my story, but so too is the quiet strength, deeper empathy, and growth that have emerged in the years since his birth. Grief has changed me, but it has also shown me that hope can return in gentle, unexpected ways — through connection, through remembrance, and through the courage to keep moving forward while carrying our babies with us.

Moira McLean
Trustee & Safeguarding Officer

 

 

 

I am a retired midwife and lecturer who has always had an interest in understanding the support needed around pregnancy loss and bereavement, advocating for improvements in care  and support. I have been a trustee for the charity since its inception and am currently safeguarding lead. 

Jon Cowell
Trustee

 

 

My name is Jon and I have been a company owner and managing director for 24 years. I combine these responsibilities with volunteering as a trustee for an academic charity which supports research into the socio-pedagogic nature of sport coaching. 

I was introduced to the trustees and volunteers of Babyloss Support Leicester, Rutland and Leicestershire by my wife Jo. Jo was formerly a bereavement specialist midwife and is now the Perinatal Safety Review midwife for University Hospitals  Leicester NHS Trust. 

By volunteering, I hope to free up valuable time for those more skilled to provide the vital care and support to bereaved parents.

Mark Finney
Trustee