Aching Arms Welcomes Landmark Bereavement Leave Legislation in Northern Ireland.

07/04/2026

Aching Arms' welcomes the announcement that Northern Ireland will introduce paid bereavement leave for pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, a landmark move that recognises miscarriage as a profound and life‑changing loss, deserving of time, care and compassion.

The new legislation marks a significant shift in how pregnancy loss is acknowledged in the workplace, offering protected time off not only for those who were pregnant but also for partners whose grief is so often overlooked. For families who have long faced the trauma of loss alongside the pressure to return to work without formal recognition or support, this change sends a powerful and long‑overdue message: their grief matters.

In this press release, Aching Arms Founder and CEO Leanne Turner reflects on the importance of this milestone, shares the lived experience of an Aching Arms volunteer in Northern Ireland, and calls on the rest of the UK, including policymakers, to ensure that compassionate bereavement leave becomes a reality for every family, including those who are self‑employed.

Read the full press release here.

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