Derbyshire mum turns heartbreak of losing her baby into JJ’s Library, supporting bereaved families
What began as a personal way to honour JJ has grown into a wider community project,
A Derbyshire mum who discovered there were no children’s books available in the maternity bereavement suite when her son was stillborn has turned her heartbreak into a project to support other families experiencing the loss of a baby.
Tia Taws, from Chaddesden, founded JJ’s Library in memory of her son, JJ, who was stillborn in February 2026.
After losing JJ, Tia discovered that families at Royal Derby Hospital had no children’s books available in the bereavement suite. Wanting to make a difference for other parents and their children, she decided to turn one of the most painful experiences of her life into something that could bring comfort to others.
JJ’s Library was created to provide children’s books for maternity bereavement suites at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital Burton, helping families find gentle, age-appropriate ways to talk to their children about the loss of a baby.
Since launching the project, Tia has received support from individuals and businesses, with hundreds of books donated. Additional books have also been provided for children’s departments, helping the project reach beyond its original aim.
Tia has also organised appreciation hampers for the maternity, triage and labour ward teams at both hospitals, recognising the staff who support families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
What began as a personal way to honour JJ has grown into a wider community project, with Tia hoping to expand JJ’s Library further and provide resources to help more families.
For Tia, JJ’s Library is about ensuring that something positive can come from the loss of her son, while keeping his memory alive through practical support for other families.
Through the generosity of local people and businesses, she hopes JJ’s legacy will continue to make a difference to families navigating pregnancy and baby loss.
Tia hopes to continue growing JJ’s Library and expand its support for children and families in hospital. Individuals and businesses interested in supporting the project through book donations, fundraising or other contributions are encouraged to get in touch.
Those who would like to contribute financially can support JJ’s Library through its GoFundMe campaign: https://gofund.me/19657d8c3. Donations will help support the project’s future work and its ambition to provide resources for more children and families.
You can follow JJ’s Library on Instagram at @jjslibrary Facebook JJ’s Library, and TikTok at @jjs.library, to find out more about the project and how you can help JJ’s legacy live on.