A Glasgow football team is helping dads grieving the loss of their children to stillbirth.
Sands United was originally founded in England as part of the nationwide family bereavement support charity, Sands. There are now teams in cities throughout the country helping thousands of fathers.
The Glasgow side was created at the end of 2020 by Andrew Westcott. He had tried to launch the team on a number of occasions but faced knockbacks due to the Covid pandemic.
Nick McLuskey was the first members to join the team. He sadly lost his daughter, Grace, a year prior to Sands United being set up.
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The 38-year-old told Glasgow Live: "She was born very prematurely after my wife spent a few weeks difficult weeks in hospital. Sadly our baby didn't survive the labour.”
"Andrew was looking to start off the group in Glasgow. There are a lot of these groups throughout the UK and you would think there'd be one here but there wasn't.
"Over the last few years the numbers have just grown. I think what unites us is that everybody has been throught this terrible experience.
"When a loss like this happens it can be difficult to get your head around, it feels like very few people understand. Football is used to connect with others who have been through similar things.
"There is no pressure to speak about still birth or baby loss but if they need to talk through things they know that option is available. We are all part of a group that you'd never want to be a part of and yet we are so proud of it.
"We now play at least once a month and there's enough of us to join a wee league but the focus will always remain on supporting people. We take in people of various ability and fitness levels."
Nick still finds the group to be extremelly benficial for his mental health three years after joining.
The dad believes losing a baby can feel very isolating for parents, so being surrounded by fathers who have been through the same trauma really helps when it comes to opening up about the loss.
He said: "For me the biggest help is having the access to people who have been through something similar. It's the community aspect of it. Baby loss is still a very taboo thing.
"I remember asking one of the newer guys about the kids he had and he mentioned the children who are living and the baby he lost, which I thought was nice.
"Genuinely when someone asks you don't mention the baby you lost because it's a taboo subject. Sands United offers a space where you can remember the child you lost in a way you wouldn't normally, so that's a massive help for me."
The founder, Andrew Wescott, added: "Having like-minded in a group chatting can act as self-counselling. It may not be heavy chat but it could take your mind off the struggle.
"I just knew that getting the bereaved dads together would be beneficial for all involved. Going to the bereavement group sessions can be a bit daunting for fathers. There is now a group of guys, who have been through the same thing, that just have a kick about."
Sands United Glasgow are set to hold a football fun day on June 25 at the High School of Glasgow on Crow Road from 1.30pm to 4pm, with everyone welcome.
To find out more about the team visit their Facebook page here or email sufcglasgow@gmail.com.
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