When Kate Breen sits among the trees and flowers in a garden dedicated to Bradford’s lost babies, she thinks about Isobel.
Kate was full term when she found out her daughter Isobel’s heart had stopped in 2016.
In the seven years since losing Isobel, Kate has continuously turned to the healing powers of gardening and nature.
Her story is one of many which brought a special memory garden - nestled away in Northcliffe Park, Shipley - to life.
A lovelock tree is now firmly rooted in the ground and already adorned with locks left by grieving families.
It is a poignant milestone for the volunteers, who just marked Baby Loss Awareness Week together for the first time in the garden.
The sight of 10 locks marks a step towards not only the next chapter of the garden, but a safe, guaranteed space for grief.
“Some people hadn’t been to the garden before or hadn’t seen the lovelock tree,” said Kate.
“We just let people explore and hang their lovelock on the tree.
“It was definitely a poignant moment for some families, even some who have had a loss more than 10 years ago.
“There was a couple of us who sat in the shelter and took in the view and had a really quiet personal conversation. It was nice that it happened in the garden, it showed it’s a space people feel they can be vulnerable in. It’s important to have a place to let these emotions bubble up.”
Kate thanked 360 Engineering and Colour Co. for their support in installing the lovelock tree.
It has been created alongside Bradford Sands - a stillbirth and neonatal death charity - and volunteers.
Experiences of baby and child loss span the generations - whether it’s grandparents pulling away weeds or fathers planting flowers.
“The feeling of loss around losing a baby doesn’t really go away,” said Kate, who lives in Shipley with her husband and two children.
“Subsequent children don’t replace that baby but what you learn to do is build your life around that space of loss that you have. That takes time but it’s helpful to know that other people managed it.
“There’s times in the beginning that it doesn’t seem possible. That’s an important thing to say and someone who is a couple of years down the line, that’s something we can offer to newly bereaved families.
“The knowledge of going through the stages and arranging the funeral but that you find a way of parenting that child. In the garden I think of Isobel, it’s space and time in my life I can dedicate to her.”
The garden is currently open by appointment only - people should contact Bradford Sands to arrange a visit.
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