A Hassocks mum who tragically lost her son on Christmas Day 2022 is campaigning for an investigation into maternity failures and is raising baby loss awareness under community project Felix’s Flame.

Beth Cooper, 31, from Hassocks, gave birth to her stillborn son Felix at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and is now trying to turn her ‘grief into something meaningful’ by sharing her story and advice online.

This has lead to her being a finalist for a national award.

After losing her son Felix, Beth was left with so many questions about what had happened.

Beth, the founder of Felix's Flame sat on a hospital bed. (Image: Beth Cooper)

placeholder image — Beth, the founder of Felix's Flame sat on a hospital bed. (Image: Beth Cooper)

During her pregnancy, she had attended hospital four times because she was concerned about reduced movements. Therefore, when Felix was stillborn, she found it incredibly difficult to reconcile what had happened due to the care she had received and the concerns she raised.

As she started to navigate what had happened, she became involved with Truth for Our Babies and met other Sussex families who had their own deeply difficult experiences of maternity care. Hearing their stories made her realise that what she was experiencing wasn’t something she was facing alone. There were so many families asking questions, seeking answers, and wanting their experiences to be properly heard.

She then became one of the families campaigning for a Donna Ockenden review into maternity care in Sussex. For Beth, it was incredibly personal. She wasn’t campaigning to point fingers; but she wanted families like hers to be listened to and for their experiences to be properly examined.

Beth spoke on how being part of that campaign has had a huge impact on her and ultimately played a big part in the creation of Felix’s Flame. It showed just how difficult it can be for families to find practical information when they have concerns about their maternity care or are navigating an investigation after losing their baby.

Felix's Flame was created after he was stillborn on Christmas Day 2022. His mother, Beth, hopes to turn what they've lived through into something that can help others. (Image: Beth Cooper)

Therefore, Felix’s Flame grew from that experience. Beth wanted to create something that she wishes she had been able to find herself — somewhere families could find practical information, relatable content and support, all whilst feeling less alone while navigating an incredibly difficult time.

Felix’s Flame, is a community led baby loss and maternity advocacy project created in Felix’s memory. Beth initially raised money through a GoFundMe, with incredible support from the community, which covered the costs of creating the Felix’s Flame website. Since then, it has grown into a UK-wide project through the website and social media.

Beth creates relatable and honest content about the realities of grief and baby loss. The social media community has become a space where bereaved parents can connect with each other, share their experiences and see their babies remembered.

With thousands of followers across Felix’s Flame pages, Beth is a finalist for The Luca Foundation Award - Baby Loss Champion, where the winner will be announced on September 26 at the Foundation’s gala.

Felix's Flame is a finalist for the Luca Foundation Community Baby Loss Champion (Image: The Luca Foundation)

Beth spoke on what being a finalist means to her: "To have the work I have created in Felix’s memory recognised within the baby loss community feels incredibly special.”

She continued: "When I found out I was a finalist for The Luca Foundation Award, I honestly cried. I had to read the message twice because I couldn’t quite believe I was seeing it correctly!

"Felix’s Flame came from such a personal place, so having the work recognised in this way means more than I can really put into words.

"I started Felix’s Flame because, after losing Felix, I realised just how difficult it can be to find clear, practical and relatable information when you’re navigating baby loss and difficult maternity experiences.

"In such a short space of time, the page has grown from around 100 followers to over 1,000, and I’ve had so many families reach out to thank me for making them feel less alone while navigating their own experiences.

"That has meant everything to me.”

Looking ahead, the finalist hopes that Felix’s Flame can continue to grow beyond its online presence and would love to develop physical resources that families can access and take away with them.

Beth also aims to build relationships with hospitals, charities and other organisations, working collaboratively to develop and share useful resources and reach more families across the UK.

She said: “Ultimately, Felix’s Flame exists because Felix existed. He was wanted, loved and is still remembered.

“I can’t change what happened to him, but I can try to make something meaningful from his life and ensure that his story continues to have an impact.

“Even if Felix can’t be here, his flame can still reach people.”

For more information visit: https://www.felixsflame.com/.