Welcome to Leo’s Perinatal
We’re so pleased you found us. We’re part of Leo’s. Let us wrap you up, and help you navigate life after loss.
Leo’s was launched in 2018 to support neonatal families who experienced neonatal care or loss.
Leo’s Perinatal is a new service to support miscarriage, Termination For Medical Reasons, stillbirth and neonatal loss.
Our team has routinely advocated for families who have experienced loss, and the inability to access timely, specialist, perinatal support.
Now, thanks to funding from the Department of Education, Department of Health and Social Care Family Hubs Transformation Project, Leo’s has been commissioned by both Redcar & Cleveland Council and Middlesbrough Council to provide this support.
Our support
Miscarriage
If you are a family who has been affected by miscarriage, or multiple miscarriages, we can provide support and care for up to two years after your loss.
Termination for Medical Reasons
If you are a family who has had to make the decision to terminate your pregnancy for a medical reason, we can provide care from diagnosis, up to two years after your loss.
Neonatal Loss / Palliative Care
If you are a family who has been affected by neonatal loss, or are currently on a neonatal unit with a palliative care diagnosis, we can support you through this, and for up to two years after your loss.
Stillbirth
If you are a family who has been affected by stillbirth, we are here to support you for up to two years after your loss.
Mentoring
We offer you a safe, non-judgmental space to talk openly about your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and anything else you need.
Counselling
Our counselling supports birth trauma, hospital trauma, diagnosis, loss, life after loss, and so much more.
Flash Therapy
Flash, is a type of EMDR therapy, delivered by our qualified therapists to support trauma recovery after a loss, or losses.
High-CBT
High Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is ran by our qualified therapists to support trauma recovery after a loss.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is delivered by our qualified therapists to support PTSD.
Leo’s Story
In 2015, my son Leo entered this world at just 24 weeks gestation, and unbeknown to him, saving the life of his twin brother Oska, and me, his mum, Lottie
After four long hours, waiting to meet my little boy, I was finally able to go see him in the NICU. The doors of intensive care opened, and there he was, the most beautiful little boy in the world. I fell in love instantly. Our first hello would be our goodbye. Our first cuddle would be our last together in this world.
We were told he could fight no more, and that they had done all they could to save him, but he was just so very sick.
We made the heart-breaking decision to turn off his life support and let him go peacefully. He slipped away and grew his wings in the early hours after he was placed in my arms. He changed our hearts irrevocably. In those brief moments we shared together, I can’t explain the lessons he taught me, the love I felt and the overwhelming desire as his mum to make sure his life meant something.
Days later a consultant spoke to us whilst I was still pregnant with his twin Oska, because every minute, every hour inside gave him a stronger chance of survival.
He sat us down and said: “Sometimes, the sickest twin knows it’s poorly, and makes the most noble sacrifice to save the other.”
That’s what our boy did. He became Oska’s guardian angel and he saved his life. I truly believe that. He saved my life too.
I am so honoured to be the mum of someone so brave, so selfless. He is my greatest hero.
This here, is his legacy.
Lottie x
Do You Have Any Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the work we do here at Leo’s…
Where do you support?
We provide specialist perinatal pregnancy and baby loss support to families who live within Redcar & Cleveland or Middlesbrough postcodes.
Is there a time limit to get support?
Our funding allows us to care for families during a diagnosis, and for those who are up to two years post loss. Our service launched in April 2023, families who experienced loss as early as April 2022 onwards are able to access support.
Can I access NHS care and Leo's?
Yes, you can! We often work in partnership with the NHS to make sure families get the best care.
I'd like to make a donation how can I do that?
Donations make a huge difference to our work, we’d love to hear from you! So please email us on hello@leosneonatal.org
I'd love to fundraise for you, how can I do that?
We have a dedicated Just Giving Page, but we can also support with fundraising packs and sponsor forms.
I work for the NHS or Local Authority, can I refer in?
Yes, we have a dedicated staff referral form. Click on ‘Make A Referral’ and fill in a dedicated form.
I'm struggling, how do I get support?
If your world is feeling heavy, click on the ‘Make A Referral’ button at the top of this page, or get a health care / local authority professional to help you.
What is the difference between Leo's Neonatal and Leo's Perinatal
Leo’s was set up in 2018 to provide mental health and well-being support to families who experience neonatal care. In 2023, Leo’s was commissioned to run a perinatal baby loss service. We wanted to keep the services seperate, which is why we have different social media pages and websites. Our teams all work together to ensure families get the best support.
