The Whitworth are thrilled to announce that an original project, Still Parents: Life After Baby Loss, has been awarded the Creative Community award in this year’s Spirit of Manchester awards.

The Still Parents: Life After Baby Loss exhibition was on display between September 2021 and December 2022. This was the first exhibition of its kind, creating a platform to share personal stories, open up conversations and break the wall of silence that continues to surround baby loss. The Still Parents project is a constituent-led exhibition which has been informed by the project participants.

The project saw thousands of people who had experienced grief and baby loss come together to spend time reflecting and exploring the mixture of artworks from the gallery collection, loaned works and personal stories from project participants.

Lucy Turner, Producer in the Civic Education and Engagement team at the Whitworth and project lead said: “We are thrilled to win the Spirit of Manchester award. For four years, we have provided creative support for bereaved parents. The award celebrates the longevity of the project and demonstrates the legacy that the ‘Still Parents: Life After Baby Loss’ exhibition has created.”

The Whitworth is an art gallery driven by a mission to work with communities to use art for positive social change, and actively address what matters most in people’s lives.

Each year, the Spirit of Manchester awards highlight the people and projects taking place in the city’s voluntary and community sector, celebrating the achievements and raising awareness of those who have made a real difference and impacted the community in a positive and beneficial way.

Lucy added: “October marks Baby Loss Awareness Month and ‘Still Parents’ continues to grow from strength to strength with an ongoing programme of workshops for anyone who has been touched by baby loss.”

Visitors to the gallery’s most recent Still Parents workshops shared their thoughts about the support they have received from the ongoing project.

One visitor said: “So cathartic and soothing. It’s a comfort to be with other like-minded people. No expectations, pressure to share, talk or do anything that doesn’t feel right.”

Another added: “The group is such a safe and understanding place to be with other people who know what you’re going through. I’d like to join each month, create more art and to get to know everyone more.”

Another showed their gratitude: “Thank you for the opportunity to be in a safe space, to share with other and to feel less alone.”

The next workshop is on Sunday 5 November, 2-4pm.

• Find out more and reserve a spot

• Learn more about the Still Parents Project, how you can get involved and a new project starting in 2024.