A baby loss support group is hoping to create a special remembrance garden in a Belfast park.
The Snowdrop Group, has asked Belfast City Council if it would be able to create a snowdrop garden in a public park in Belfast where parents and families would be able to go and remember their babies.
It is also hoping that the park could be used as the start and finishing point of an annual 'Snowdrop Walk' and other events.
The group has not specified what park it would like to create the garden in, saying that it is happy to work with the council to find a suitable location as long as it would be in a place where the Snowdrop Walk could take place.
It hopes that work can start on creating the garden by the end of May or start of June.
The proposal will go before the council's People and Communities Committee today.
East Belfast Alliance Councillor Michelle Kelly has backed the proposals saying that having a permanent memorial would help break the stigma around baby loss and provide families with a special place to go and remember babies.
She said: "I’m pleased to support this proposal. As someone who has had several miscarriages, and on speaking to many others who have experienced baby loss, having somewhere to go and reflect and remember would be a great support. By having a memorial in a public place it also helps to raise awareness and break the silence and stigma surrounding baby loss.
"The Snowdrop Group do amazing work in striving to improve care for all those who experience baby loss at any stage of pregnancy or shortly after birth, informed by the experience and understanding of what really matters most at such an unimaginable time.
"I sincerely hope that Belfast City Councillors get behind this and a lasting, special memorial can be created in our parks."
The Snowdrop Group was formed in 2017, and provides support to bereaved parents and families within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
A Belfast City Council report said: "The Snowdrop has now become a symbol for baby loss awareness within Belfast Trust andbeyond and is also a symbol of hope for many families.
"The group are keen to develop aSnowdrop walk each year and would like to try and establish a Snowdrop Garden –somewhere families can go to reflect and remember their babies.
"They have approached council officers to enquire if it would be possible to have a dedicated area in a park in Belfast, where snowdrops could be planted and a small sign placed.
"They have no preference in terms of location apart from a request that the site would be able to accommodate being a starting and endpoint for an annual ‘Snowdrop Walk’ – therefore some of our larger parks/open spaces might be more appropriate."
