Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions relating to the supply of services by Branch Baby Loss Network CIC

Introduction

Welcome to Branch Baby Loss Network CIC (“Branch”). These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our services. By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

Description of Service

Branch is a volunteer-run service that provides peer-to-peer support to bereaved parents. Moderators are in place to help keep our community safe and supported and to make sure our community rules are followed, so please drop us a message if you spot any violations of the rules or have any queries. 

Our services may include:

  • Information and resources

  • Peer support (e.g. support groups including those in our WhatsApp community, online and in-person meet-ups organised by Branch, via our Instagram, website or other community platform we may provide)

  • Signposting to other organisations

Please note: as Branch is a peer-to-peer support platform, it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health care. Our staff and volunteers are not trained doctors, counsellors or therapists. Users must seek their own professional medical support when they need it from their doctor or by calling 999 in emergencies. 

Eligibility

Our services are available to individuals who are bereaved parents and wider family and friends affected by pregnancy loss, baby loss and infertility, and who are over the age of 18 years. Unfortunately, due to safeguarding requirements, we are currently unable to offer our services to people below the age of 18 years.

Volunteer Service

Branch is supported by volunteers. While our volunteers are committed to providing support in moderating the community and other areas, please be aware that they are working in their own time. Volunteers are not online 24/7 and may not be able to respond to queries immediately.

No Fees

Branch provides its services free of charge.

Limitation of Liability

  • Branch and its volunteers provide services on an "as is" and "as available" basis.

  • Branch and its volunteers will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising out of or in connection with your use of our services, including but not limited to:

    • Any reliance on information provided

    • Any emotional distress

    • Any decisions made based on information from our service

  • We do not guarantee that our services will be uninterrupted or error-free.

  • We are not responsible for the advice provided by members within the community.

  • We are not responsible for the content of any third-party websites or resources to which we may provide links.

Disclaimer of Warranty

  • Branch makes no warranties, express or implied, about the services, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

  • We do not warrant that the information provided through our services is accurate, complete, or current.

Conduct and Community Rules

You agree to use our services in a respectful and considerate manner. The following community rules are in place to ensure a safe and supportive environment, please:

  • Respect everyone’s privacy and do not share anyone’s personal data, including phone numbers, outside of this platform.

  • Do not screenshot conversations, and do not share attributable details of others’ contributions without their express permission. 

  • Be kind and respectful to everyone—no hate speech, bullying, or trolling.

  • Please don’t compare experiences.

  • Please do not share any photos of babies, children, bodily fluids, ovulation tests, pregnancy tests, pregnancies and similar in group chats. The only exceptions are the following WhatsApp groups in which you may share photos as follows: 

    • “Photos Of Our Babies” - you may share photos of our lost babies either by themselves or with their older siblings.

    • “Trying to Conceive After Loss (TTC)” - you may share photos of ovulation tests only.

    • “Early Pregnancy and Potentially Pregnant” - you may share photos of pregnancy tests only.

    • “Parenting Rainbow Babies” - you may share photos of rainbow babies and their siblings.

    • “Pregnancy After Loss’ - you may share birth announcement pictures

    • “Parenting After Loss” - you may share photos of older living children. This group is primarily to support parents and siblings through grief and parents may not have had a rainbow baby after their loss or may be experiencing subsequent infertility.

  • Be mindful of when you need to change support groups. Common examples would be: If you become pregnant, please leave TTC and join the early and possibly pregnant group. If you have a positive dating / 12-week scan, please leave early PAL and join the Pregnant After Loss group. If you give birth to a rainbow baby, please leave Pregnant After Loss Group and join the Parenting Rainbow Babies group. This helps to keep people with similar experiences aligned, and avoids triggering members in former groups. If you do not move when your experience changes, a moderator will remove you, will compassionately explain and invite you to join the appropriate support group. 

  • Please keep discussions about current pregnancies or trying to conceive in the relevant groups.

  • Include a trigger warning before mentioning living children or current pregnancies, unless in a specific group for those discussions.

  • Please be mindful of everyone’s experiences and what may be triggering.

  • Please don’t share medical or health advice.

  • No promotions, fundraisers, or spam.

You agree not to:

  • Use our services for any unlawful purpose

  • Harass, abuse, or threaten our volunteers or other users

  • Transmit any harmful or offensive content

  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems

  • Share personal data of other users outside of this platform.

Copyright

Copyright over Branch’s branding, logo and community creative content and expressions are retained by Branch to the fullest extent possible in law. This includes but is not limited to our training materials, presentations and original posts, captions, newsletters and guides written by Branch.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Your privacy is important to us. We will handle your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using our services, you acknowledge that your personal data, including your name and contact information, may be visible to other users within the platform, however, there is no sharing of data outside of this platform.

Confidentiality and data protection is key to our community, however, if myself or one of our volunteers believes there is a risk of harm to yourself or someone you mention, other volunteers and professional support services may be alerted as per a duty of care.

  • Confidentiality: We understand that the information shared within our community is sensitive and personal. While Branch takes reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of information shared within the platform, we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of information shared between users. Please exercise caution when sharing personal details.

    • Expectations of Confidentiality: Branch expects all users to respect the confidentiality of other members. This includes any information shared within peer support groups, private messages, or any other interaction within the Branch community.

    • Limitations on Confidentiality: Users should be aware that, due to the nature of peer support, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. While our volunteers are committed to maintaining confidentiality, they are not bound by the same legal obligations as professional therapists or counsellors.

    • Duty to Disclose: In exceptional circumstances, Branch or our volunteers may be required to disclose information shared within the community. This will only occur when there is a credible risk of harm to yourself or someone else, or if required by law.

    • Your Responsibility: You are responsible for protecting your own privacy and the confidentiality of information you share. Avoid sharing highly sensitive information that you would not want others to know.

    • Data Security: Branch will take reasonable measures to protect the security of the platform and the data stored within it. However, we cannot guarantee that unauthorised access will never occur.

Modification of Terms and Conditions

Branch may modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. We will provide notice of any material changes, and your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms and Conditions.

Termination

Branch may terminate your access to our services at any time, for any reason, without notice.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at branchbabyloss@gmail.com 

Acknowledgements

By using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

  • You are over the age of 18.

  • Branch is a peer-to-peer support platform, and our volunteers are not medical professionals. You are responsible for seeking professional help should you need it.

  • You acknowledge that personal data including your name and phone number may be visible to others.

Important Contact Information

If you need immediate help, please contact the following services:

  • Emergency Services: Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.

  • Samaritans: Call 116 123 (available 24/7) for urgent confidential support.

  • NHS 111: Call 111 for urgent medical advice and mental health support.

  • SHOUT: Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to speak with a trained crisis volunteer via text.

  • Mind: Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 for mental health support.

The following organisations may also provide non-urgent support:

  • Tommy’s: Call 0800 014 7800 (9-5, Monday to Friday) to speak to midwives.

  • Child Bereavement UK: Call 0800 02 888 40 for support.

  • Petals: Call 0300 688 0068 for counselling following baby loss.

  • Sands: Call 0808 164 3332 for stillbirth and neonatal death support.

  • Aching Arms: Email info@achingarms.co.uk for support after baby loss.

  • Taking Baby Steps: Visit takingbabysteps.co.uk for resources and support.

  • Your GP: Contact your local GP for medical and emotional support.