Together, we can make a difference for families in Worcestershire

Up to the age of 5, a baby is over 15 times more likely to be stillborn than to die from SIDS, covid, meningitis, road deaths, drowning and Sepsis COMBINED

While there isn’t a single cause of stillbirths, a change in movements can be an early warning sign that a baby is unwell, often before other symptoms appear.

Kicks Count raises awareness of the importance of baby’s movements and encourages parents to report any change to their maternity unit immediately

Your support will ensure that vital resources like wristbands, leaflets, and posters reach maternity units, midwives, and families across Worcestershire. With your help, more babies will arrive safely. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

There are many ways you can help

✔ Displaying or distributing our resources such as displaying posters, having leaflets available etc
✔ Hosting a small recycling collection point
✔ Sharing our information with your staff or network
✔ Offering a small donation or local sponsorship
✔ Simply registering as a local partner organisation

You can register your organisation here, it’s completely free:

Register Now 

WHY DO WE NEED KICKS COUNT IN THE COMMUNITY 

Awareness of baby movements is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce the risk of stillbirth yet many parents are still not receiving this information at the right time, or at all. Stillbirth can affect any family, regardless of age, background, or postcode. It is not limited to “high-risk” pregnancies, and for many families the only warning sign that a baby may be in distress is a change in movements. Despite this, misunderstandings remain incredibly common. Many parents still believe, or are told, that babies slow down near the end, that reduced movement is normal, or that they should “wait and see”. These myths persist across every community, and they stop people seeking care quickly enough. 

OVERCOMING BARRIERS

In every community, there are parents who face barriers to accessing routine antenatal care. Some struggle with transport, childcare or work commitments. Some feel anxious about hospitals. Others are new to the UK, are unsure how the system works, or face language and cultural barriers. There are also parents who have had negative experiences in healthcare and avoid contact unless absolutely necessary. For these families, vital messages about baby movements may never be seen during standard appointments, because those appointments don’t always happen. 

This is why local, community-based awareness is essential. Reaching people in shops, workplaces, GP surgeries, libraries, community centres and online neighbourhood groups ensures we can catch those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. When posters, leaflets, wristbands and trusted local advocates are visible in everyday places, families who may not be attending regular appointments still learn when to seek help. Community visibility removes some of the fear, replaces myths with facts, and gives parents the confidence to act on their instincts. 

A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROJECT 

We also run a community recycling scheme that collects items such as stamps, bread bags, biscuit wrappers and more. The funds raised from these recycled materials go directly back into supporting resources for that local area. Once established, it provides a sustainable way to protect more babies while also reducing waste and helping the environment. 

COMBATING ONLINE MYTHS

Another crucial reason communities need Kicks Count is that parents frequently turn to the internet or social media for reassurance before they contact a midwife. Unfortunately, much of the information online is incorrect, outdated or contradictory. Community-centred campaigns backed by clinical guidance help counteract this misinformation and ensure families see safe, accurate messages first.