Angel Gowns was founded by Louise Drakes and Wendy Freeman, they are supporting grieving families across the UK—one dress, one stitch, one act of care at a time and turning grief into comfort, one stitch at a time."
In a quiet corner of North East Lincolnshire, Louise Drakes leads Angel Gowns UK—a volunteer-powered initiative that transforms donated wedding dresses into beautiful funeral garments for stillborn and newborn babies.
Each handmade gown offers dignity, compassion, and comfort to grieving families when words often fall short.
Louise’s role goes far beyond sewing. As the main national coordinator, she manages dress donations, directs materials to the right regional sewing teams, and connects international enquiries to local groups across the globe.
Her inbox regularly overflows with requests—especially earlier this year, when a larger group closed unexpectedly and Angel Gowns UK received over 3,000 emails, WhatsApps, and messages in just six hours.
Even now, Louise is dedicating much of her time to urgent admin work, helping the organisation navigate high demand while continuing to support bereaved families with care and dignity.
Louise sees creativity as a pathway to healing—and she’s committed to making her work accessible to more people who need it.
Beyond the gowns, she hopes to expand her impact by developing:
A dedicated workspace with sewing machines
Mobile sewing workshops to reach isolated individuals
Opportunities for people in recovery to learn new skills
A scrap store that upcycles materials for community craft projects
A men’s support group centred around practical activities and connection
She’s already laid foundations for future collaborations and has been in conversation with regional arts groups and local venues to explore possible spaces.
Despite the scale of her work, Louise still operates without a permanent base. Finding affordable, accessible space remains one of her biggest challenges—alongside securing funding eligibility after relocating from Grimsby.
in a recent meeting with Our Future, she shared how this lack of infrastructure affects the group’s ability to grow, train new volunteers, and store materials.
But the conversation also sparked new potential—discussions about local regeneration, upcoming Plan for Neighbourhoods funding, and ways to amplify Angel Gowns UK through local networks and civic partnerships.
From redirecting dresses across international borders to hand-delivering comfort to grieving parents, Louise’s work is stitched with compassion, community, and quiet strength. She has never sought the spotlight—but her story deserves to be shared.
At Angel Gowns UK, every seam tells a story of love, loss, and solidarity. And behind it all is Louise—organising, guiding, and making sure no family feels forgotten.
If you’re a local business, organisation, or individual who wants to support this vital work, here’s how to get involved:
Donate materials: While dress donations are currently paused, other items like cotton fabrics and storage supplies are still needed.
Sponsor a machine: Help fund mobile workshops, admin systems, or equipment maintenance.
Offer a space: Know of a venue, unit, or community building? Louise is looking for a stable base.
Volunteer: From helping at events to supporting admin and logistics, there are many ways to get involved.
Spread the word: Share Louise’s story with people who care about creativity, loss, and community resilience.
At Our Future, we’re honoured to spotlight local champions like Louise Drakes. Her care, leadership, and dedication are shaping something far bigger than garments—they’re stitching together a national network of kindness and hope.
Let’s help her work continue to grow. You can find Louise and Angel Gowns on Facebook.