As we reflect on the final quarter of 2024, Pregnancy Sickness Support (PSS) celebrates significant achievements across all areas of our work, marking the end of a remarkable year. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished in Q4:
Volunteer Engagement
The dedication of our volunteers remained at the heart of our work. In Q4, we:
- Conducted 17 volunteer interviews and trained 11 new volunteers.
- Set up 56 Peer Support matches, ensuring sufferers receive personalised support.
- Recognised the efforts of our volunteers by distributing 96 awards. Our volunteer programme continues to thrive, reinforcing our mission to provide compassionate support to those in need.
Community and Engagement
The Community and Engagement function drove awareness and collaboration through impactful initiatives:
- October: Attended the RCGP Conference in Liverpool, hosted an Instagram Live for Baby Loss Awareness Week, and delivered HG training for combat medics. Collaborated with Twins Trust, PANDAS Foundation, and held two HG Advocate interviews.
- November: Held GP training with Dr. Yusra Khan, student midwife sessions, and expert training for Midwife Pip’s YPJ Community. Collaborated with Shout, APEC, and Perinatal Mental Health Network.
- December: Guest speaker at National Voices ‘Unconference’ and a research meeting. These activities advanced our engagement with healthcare professionals and community organisations, spreading awareness and enhancing the quality of HG care.
Counselling Function
Since April 1st, our counselling team has made a profound impact: Having to close our books for a second time due to demand in August and to reopening in October with a new counselling bank counsellor network we have:
- Received 84 applications via our online referral waiting list.
- Completed 75 assessments and held 275 counselling sessions with 77 clients.
- Delivered 7 single therapy sessions for current sufferers.
- Delivered our HG counsellor training session in October.
- Strengthened our capacity with 1 volunteer and 7 bank counsellors to meet growing demand.
Fundraising Success
Q4 was a strong quarter for fundraising, with total revenue reaching £83,075.02 (including Gift Aid). Highlights include:
- October: £6,608.30 from individual giving and event donations.
- November: £6,402.82, bolstered by the “In This Together” October campaign.
- December (to date): £66,468 from National Lottery Funding, providing critical support for our work. These contributions ensure PSS can continue expanding its services and reaching more women and families.
Helpline and Support Team
Our helpline provided life-changing assistance to 549 new service users this quarter. Of the 8% who responded to our feedback questionnaire, 68% reported that the information and support they received led to symptom improvement. This demonstrates the vital role our team plays in empowering sufferers and their families.
Overall in Q4
Our CEO attended the ICHG Conference in Los Angeles, and was welcomed as a strong patient advocacy group lead in the international community, strengthening our charities position globally in the determination to change outcomes for HG sufferers. We invited our community to share their view and opinions on the new NHS 10 year plan and are hopeful that many of you submitted your ideas on how the NHS can effectively help sufferers, a much needed change.
As we close out 2024, Pregnancy Sickness Support celebrates these achievements as milestones in our ongoing mission to support those affected by Hyperemesis Gravidarum. None of this would have been possible without our incredible volunteers, dedicated team, and generous supporters. Here’s to continuing our work and building on these successes in 2025. Thank you for being part of our journey.
