A mum has created a book-donation project in memory of her stillborn son to support bereaved families at Queen’s Hospital Burton and Royal Derby Hospital.
Tia, from the Derby area, founded JJ’s Library after her baby boy JJ was stillborn in February 2026.
She said the idea grew from her own experience in the bereavement suite at Royal Derby Hospital, where she found there were no children’s books available to help families share stories together.
Books for parents and siblings
The project supplies books to maternity bereavement suites so parents and siblings experiencing pregnancy and baby loss have access to reading material during a difficult time.
According to Tia’s account, books have been donated to the bereavement suites at Royal Derby and Queen’s Hospital Burton, with further books provided for children’s departments.
The project has also prepared appreciation hampers for maternity, triage and labour ward teams.
Tia says individuals and businesses have contributed hundreds of books, alongside other gifts. She has not put a fixed value on the donations as support continues to arrive.
JJ’s Library hopes to continue through community support, creating a lasting legacy in JJ’s memory while providing practical help for other families.
Tia shared the project’s story through a submission to Burton Gazette.