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| Bliss (charity) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bliss |
| Formation | 1979 |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Type | Charity |
| Region served | United Kingdom |
| Leader title | Chief Executive |
| Leader name | Clare Livingstone |
Bliss (charity) is a United Kingdom-based charity dedicated to supporting premature and sick infants and their families, campaigning for neonatal care, and advancing neonatal research and practice. Founded in 1979, it operates across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, working with hospitals, healthcare professionals, policy makers, and families to improve outcomes for newborns. The organisation combines service provision, research funding, advocacy, and public engagement to influence neonatal standards and practice.
Bliss was established in 1979 following campaigning by parents and clinicians concerned about neonatal care after events that mobilised attention in the late 1970s in the United Kingdom, connecting to institutions such as Great Ormond Street Hospital, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, National Health Service (England) and advocacy networks active in neonatal policy. Early activity saw links with neonatal units in urban centres like Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, and collaborative work with medical researchers at universities such as University College London, King's College London and University of Edinburgh. During the 1980s and 1990s Bliss engaged with statutory reviews and inquiries including dialogues with the Department of Health and Social Care, input to professional bodies including the British Medical Association and relationships with charities such as Save the Children and Barnardo's to build visibility for neonatal issues. In the 2000s and 2010s Bliss expanded charitable programmes, aligned with health policy debates around the NHS Constitution for England and cross‑UK health strategies, and partnered with academic funders like the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust to support research infrastructure and training.
Bliss articulates a mission to improve the care and outcomes for premature and sick newborn infants and support their families. It engages with clinical stakeholders including Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Midwives, neonatal services within trusts such as Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and regulatory bodies such as Care Quality Commission to influence standards. The organisation's activities intersect with research funders and universities including University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester and policy actors including the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Department of Health (Northern Ireland). Bliss also collaborates with international actors, drawing on comparative practice from institutions like World Health Organization and service models in countries such as United States neonatal networks and Sweden perinatal programmes.
Bliss delivers services that include family support in neonatal units, parent education, and peer support networks linking neonatal units at trusts such as Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Queen Mary's Hospital, and Birmingham Women's Hospital. Programs include guidance resources for clinicians and families developed with partners such as National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, clinical networks like the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, and academic centres at Imperial College London. It offers training and toolkits used by practitioners in neonatal intensive care units, aligns with quality improvement initiatives observed in NHS neonatal networks, and provides helplines and online resources that complement services delivered by charities including Tommy's and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital patient support teams.
Bliss funds and commissions research with partners including the Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, and universities such as Newcastle University and University of Southampton. Its policy work engages with parliamentary processes at Westminster Hall debates, all‑party parliamentary groups, and consultations run by bodies like NHS England and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Campaigns have targeted perinatal staffing, parental access in neonatal units, and post‑discharge support, interacting with standards from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and reporting to oversight institutions including the Healthcare Commission and Care Quality Commission. Bliss contributes to clinical guideline development alongside professional colleges including Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and speciality groups such as the British Association of Perinatal Medicine.
Bliss raises funds through public appeals, events, corporate partnerships, and trusts and foundations, working with philanthropic institutions like the Wellcome Trust and corporate supporters across sectors including retail and finance in cities such as London and Manchester. It partners with major charities and health organisations such as BBC Children in Need and local health trusts to deliver programmes and regional campaigns. Fundraising activities have included national campaigns, community fundraising, and collaborations with media outlets including the BBC to raise awareness and support for neonatal services.
Bliss is governed by a board of trustees and executive leadership accountable to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, engaging with regulatory frameworks and reporting standards common to UK charities. Funding sources include public donations, grants from research funders like the National Institute for Health Research and institutional grants, corporate sponsorships, and legacies. Governance interacts with sector bodies including the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and complies with standards used by organisations such as NCVO and Institute of Fundraising.
Bliss has influenced neonatal policy, contributed to improvements in neonatal practice, and supported thousands of families across the UK, with recognition from health institutions including Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and public honours occasionally conferred through UK honours lists overseen by the Cabinet Office. Its research partnerships have produced publications with academic presses and journals connected to institutions like Lancet networks and university departments, and its advocacy has been cited in parliamentary inquiries and NHS policy reviews. The charity's work continues to shape perinatal and neonatal discourse across clinical, policy, and family advocacy settings.
Category:Health charities in the United Kingdom Category:Neonatology Category:Child welfare organizations