Absolutely Wonderful........... unbelievable kindness shown to our Wrapped in Love project Incredible response from so many kind and wonderful people here and abroad to our Wrapped in Love project. The tiny little items continue to come in each week and they are just amazing. We couldn't have chosen a better name for this project as each tiny little item is knitted or sewn with so much love and care. It really is overwhelming when you see them all packed and think that the next time they will be handled is for a tiny baby waiting to be wrapped in love. We have given a supply to most of the hospitals now and the feedback already makes it all so worthwhile. We have also had some beautiful cards and emails thanking us. I say in reply, we are just the channel through which we give the kindness and compassion of those who make these gifts for families. You all know who you are and thank you so very much for your support since this project started last year. I really don't think you have any idea what these little gifts mean to those who need them. Keep up the good work. Any new knitters or sewers very welcome to join in. Patterns on our website to download. Ron From a grateful parent~ " I hope another family gets the same comfort from having their angel wrapped in love that I know we felt from the loving hands that made the clothes we put on our son" isands newsletter 40

Morning Workshop for Clergy and Chaplains on Stillbirth Rev. Bruce Pierce, Director of Education at St. Luke's Home, Mahon, Cork hosted a Morning Workshop for those who provide pastoral care, in a hospital or parish setting, following a stillbirth. ISANDS were invited to facilitate the workshop and we were delighted with the interest and attendance. Up to forty Pastoral Care Providers attended and there was a great interaction after presentation by Ron Smith- Murphy. We would like to thank Rev. Bruce Pierce and Rev. Daniel Nuzum ( Chaplain University Hospital, Cork) for all their hard work in organising the morning workshop It was lovely to meet so many who work in the area of pastoral care and we found it to be a very worthwhile experience. Our thanks also to the Management of St. Luke's for providing the wonderful facilities and hospitality. Irish Hospice Foundation/ Hospice Friendly Hospitals- End of Life Care What Matters Most to Patients and Relatives End of Life care is something we are all faced with at some stage in our lives. It's something we really don't want to think about but when we are confronted with it, it is a very different matter. It can make such a difference to a patient and his/ her family if every aspect of their care is looked after in a caring and loving way, while addressing all the medical issues efficiently. Caring for a baby who is dying is a real challenge. Birth and death so close together is heartbreaking for parents and families but also difficult for the health care professionals within the hospital environment and community. In this situation ' end of life care' is also the beginning of life care. I was invited by the Irish Hospice Foundation to be part of a Working Group on End of Life Standards for ' what matters most to patients and relatives'. The purpose of the Working Group was to develop Hospice Friendly Hospitals Standards for What Matters Most to Patients and Relatives so that elements of care, services and facilities that matter most to patients and their relatives are identified. Another Working Group worked on other aspects of the document including Training & Supports for Staff in Providing End- of- Life Care. The Working Groups met regularly throughout 2008 and a draft document was compiled. Standards were circulated for consultation. Consultation workshops were hosted by the Irish Hospice Foundation. I was invited to be one of the facilitators on the consultations forum. Out of all the feedback a draft document will be revised taking into account the comments received. The revised Standards will approved for publication. This is a wonderful initiative of the Irish Hospice Foundation and the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme. The document even in draft form is very comprehensive and signposts so many possibilities for the future. I have really enjoyed being part of the Working Group. I also appreciate that I was given the opportunity to share some of my insight into the area of stillbirth and neonatal death and thank all the Group for their interest and compassion. I have no doubt that there will be a positive response to the publication and that those reading it will embrace and welcome the information and guidance. My personal thanks to Helen Donovan, Irish Hospice Foundation, who has worked tirelessly on this project and always made us feel that our contribution was worthwhile and produced draft after draft to include all aspects of the discussions. Well done Helen, you have to be thrilled. Ron isands newsletter 41