As part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility campaign in Ireland, bringing comfort to those who need it most, sofa retailer DFS has delivered a wonderful makeover at the Rotunda Hospital, working with Alannah Monks of the Abode Stylist. The Little Chapel is a special place for families from all over Ireland whose babies’ little hearts stop beating before they are born or die shortly after birth. The space is designed to give the family time together to grieve, share memories, and say goodbye to their baby. 

The project is part of a series of ongoing makeovers throughout Ireland completed by DFS and is a particularly poignant one, as baby Alice, daughter of DFS Senior Customer Distribution Centre Manager, Micheal Quinn and his wife Karen, was born too early to survive in the Rotunda last year. “We were devastated by the loss of baby Alice last year.” Said Micheal. “It was an extraordinarily difficult time for me and Karen, but we got incredible support and help from the Bereavement Team at the Rotunda. This team helped us create our memories of Alice, from every outfit the team placed her in, to the foot and hand prints we have at home and her resting place in the angel’s plots in Glasnevin.

“This room is where we all got to say goodbye, the Grandparents, Uncles and Aunties all included. Words can’t describe what the Bereavement Team did for us and we will be always truly grateful for that. We were so pleased that DFS got on board to do this makeover and they have gone above and beyond what we expected.  Thank you to DFS and the makeover team. This is our second time in the Rotunda this week as we were in for a scan, as thankfully, we are expecting again. We look forward to a new sibling for Ruby and our much loved and missed Alice.”

The Little Chapel is where bereaved families are supported through specialist midwives, the chaplain and the medical social worker listening to their concerns and wishes and liaising with other staff to help organise the funeral arrangements. This is the space where families get to hold and spend time with their baby for the last time and where they will be offered some keepsakes of their baby including photographs, foot and hand prints, and a personalised blessing certificate or a naming certificate.

The Bereavement Team of the Rotunda said, “We work with families whose lives have been changed in an instant. They are grieving, many are in shock seeing their dreams shattered. Having a dedicated space especially for them and their families is a small step in helping to ease their trauma. We are so appreciative of the support that DFS and Alannah Monks have given us to make this a beautiful space where people can grieve in peace”.

 Louise Rix, Retail Director for Ireland said, “At DFS, it is our colleagues that make us the company we are. We are so sorry for Michael and Karen’s sad loss and are honoured to have been able to support this very special service.  DFS has supplied sofas to thousands of homes throughout Ireland and we truly understand the benefits and the importance of comfort in every environment, so giving back in this way - particularly to a cause so closely connected to one of our valued colleagues - has been a real privilege.  Anyone who walks through the doors of the Rotunda can see immediately what a special place it is. Thanks to Micheal and Karen Quinn for drawing our attention to this project, for the amazing team here, Alannah Monks of the Abode Stylist, and all the other suppliers including Mullan lighting, Crown Paint, Matt Britton Carpets, and  Reon Technologies for supporting the makeover.

Alannah Monks, The Abode Stylist said, “As a mum myself, I feel huge empathy with the families who find themselves here. As a designer, I am so conscious of the importance of an appropriate space to grieve. It was important for me to consider all aspects of how this space can help someone dealing with trauma. From colour palette to noise reduction, the space needed to be as peaceful as possible. Green is the central hue here keeping the mood subtle and earthy, from the dark green of the DFS Botanical sofa, to the softer greens of the Luppo chairs. The stunning light fittings from Mullan Lighting in gentle satin brass and white shade bounce the light gently across the warm sage colour on the walls from Crown Paints. While the soft velvet carpet from Matt Britton and additional joinery features helps noise control, keeping the room as gentle as possible to all senses.

We all want to support families who are bereaved in this cruel way.  In working with DFS to transform this space my intention has been to give parents some space to grieve their babies and allow them create some lasting memories.”