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"Such a supportive weekend...a big warm hug"

Feb 18: “Such a supportive weekend. I described it as a big warm hug. Emotional and exhausting at times, but mainly supportive, inspiring and helpful. I would definitely recommend it.” The last weekend of January saw over 100 bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents came together for our retreat weekend in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside.  

Breaks in SW France for bereaved parents

Jan 23: One of the most difficult things for us to do after the death of a son or daughter is to go away on holiday...having to see all those 'complete' families can be just unbearable. So in 2022, The Compassionate Friends (TCF) were very pleased to form a relationship with Jack and Margaret Reckitt who have a holiday and retreats business, Manoir Mouret, in South West France.

The Big Online Quiz is back!

Jan 15: Back by popular demand! Bring together your family, friends and colleagues to play our fun online quiz...with quizmaster extraordinaire, Stephen. We welcome teams from anywhere - the corporate world...perhaps your company or business would like to enter a team? - and all our followers and supporters.

TCF volunteer, Hugh McAninch, honoured with MBE

Dec 30: Huge congratulations to Hugh McAninch who has been made an MBE in the King's New Years Honours for services to bereaved parents and their families in Scotland. Hugh volunteered for The Compassionate Friends for over 30 years after the death of his son, Christopher. He was nominated for the honour by the charity's volunteer team in Scotland and we are all delighted that all his hard work on the behalf of bereaved parents has been recognised on the national stage.

Annual General Meeting 2023

Dec 7: If you weren't able to join us, you can now listen to a recording of our Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 25 November 2023. We heard from our co-Chairs of Trustees, our Trustee Treasurer, and Chief Executive Officer. Our guest speaker was bereaved parent, Maria Ahern, who shared with us her helpful and hopeful thoughts on her grief journey for her son James over the years.

The Big Give - November 28th - December 5th

Nov 14: Thanks to your amazing generosity we have hit our target. Thank you so much.  Don't worry you can still give until midday December 5th, but donations won't be doubled now. Please do keep sharing as we want to support even more bereaved parents and siblings. Can we make it to £20,000?

Sign up to one of our fundraising events in 2024!

Oct 31: Drumroll please! All our active fundraising events for 2024 are now live so if you want to plan ahead . So if you want to take on a 5k in Edinburgh, a 10k in London or go for the full marathon in Manchester have a look now.

"I had the booking information open on my phone for months"

Sep 22: "I had the booking information for this retreat open on my phone for months – reluctant to book it; reluctant to go anywhere and talk about this pain that was stuck in my throat and suffocating me since I lost my wonderful son in October 2021 aged 24. He was my only child and my meaning for life...I really did not want to talk about anything to do with my son and my loss; it was my private pain".

AGM 2023 - 25th November

Aug 31: All are welcome to The Compassionate Friends AGM on Saturday 25th November at 2.15 pm in London the venue is the Friends Meeting House which is almost directly opposite Euston station - so really easy to get to. It's a lovely opportunity to meet up together, as well as hear all that The Compassionate Friends has been involved in this last year. It is also a chance for you to meet our Trustees and help to shape the future direction and activities of the charity.

Where were all the men?

Jul 30: I am a bereaved father. My wife and I are grieving for our youngest son who ended his life in August 2018. I decided to write that short piece about my experiences of my first retreat with TCF, particularly in the hope of encouraging more men to attend. I would thoroughly recommend it.

National Bereaved Parents Day 2023

Jun 22: To mark #NationalBereavedParentsDay on July 3rd we are sharing stories from grieving parents and launching a week long look at the support we offer here at The Compassionate Friends.#YouAreNotAlone #NBPD2023

TCF 2.5 Challenge

May 4: This weekend is the TCF 2.5 Challenge! You have come up with walks, sponsored silences, a waterfall trek, teas and an amazing chocolate raffle (yum). There's still time to join in. Think of a challenge including the numbers 2 and 5 to celebrate our 250 volunteers without whom we would just not be able to offer the incredible peer to peer support for bereaved parents and siblings.

Woman & Home magazine showcases peer support

May 3: In the June issue of Woman & Home (out now), Compassionate Friends support group facilitator in Bath, Adelle, shares how she found support at our charity after after the death of her daughter, Celia, and how now she has gone on to support others by volunteering.

Alexander, Seth and Tristan are running the London Marathon - £3k raised so far!

Apr 17: Wow what a trio! We have 3 people running the London Marathon this Sunday in memory of their brothers or cousin. First Alexander Ehmann who's running in memory of his brother, Oliver who died in 2017. He describes The Compassionate Friends as a lifeline for his mother.

Awareness campaign launches

Feb 25: We are delighted to announce that The Compassionate Friends has teamed up with the world's largest outdoor advertising company, JC Decaux, and advertising and branding agency, The Raised Eyebrow Society, to launch our first campaign raising awareness of parental bereavement.

Why not join a TCF Walk ?

Feb 14: For those who have never joined one of our walks before, or perhaps, any form of TCF support, please come along on 22nd April or 20th May if you can. You will find yourselves in what I call, “ the best company “, where there are no awkward conversations. If you come on your own, you will soon find yourself welcomed by others in the group and find the support offered by our walking community.

The TCF 2.5 Challenge is back on May 20th - 21st

Jan 31: The TCF 2.5 Challenge is our annual fundraiser and gives you the chance to get involved in doing something challenging, fun or silly to raise funds for us to run the Helpline, support groups and retreats.

Auction of Lizzie's Nissan Figaro

Jan 11: Kirk Mawer, bereaved father of Lizzie, contacted us to let us know they intend to sell her Nissan Figaro and, with real generosity, donate the proceeds of the sale to The Compassionate Friends.

2023 breaks for bereaved parents in France

Dec 7: One of the most difficult things for us to do after the death of a son or daughter is to go away on holiday...having to see all those 'complete' families can be just unbearable. So in 2022, TCF were very pleased to form a new relationship with Jack and Margaret Reckitt who have a holiday and retreats business, Manoir Mouret, in SW France. In 2023 they are offering TCF three weeks for TCF members to have a break, at no charge.

Giving Tuesday - 29th November 2022

Nov 28: Giving Tuesday is taking place on 29th November 2022. A global day of giving, Giving Tuesday encourages people to donate to their favourite causes and charities. We at The Compassionate Friends are asking people to consider donating on Giving Tuesday towards the costs of our induction of and training and support for our volunteers.

Our runners triumph at the Royal Parks Half Marathon

Oct 26: On a beautiful sunny day 9 runners ran in memory of their children, relatives or friends. Katie Hobbs running for her dear niece, Ryleigh; friends Lucy, Jennie, Luke and Ben running in memory of Denver, Jonah Weiss running for his sister, Emily and RBC Inspire winner, Catherine Blodwell running in memory of Noah and Archie with Vicky Blodwell and Lindsay Long.

Trustees wanted!

Jun 26: Do you have passion, skills and expertise that could help The Compassionate Friends (TCF) to continue to develop? The voluntary role of Trustee with our charity is both rewarding and fulfilling. Our current Trustees invite interested applicants who are at least 3 years past their bereavement to apply to serve on the Trustee Board by standing for election.

Breaks for bereaved parents in France

Jun 5: The Compassionate Friends is building a new relationship to provide bereaved parents an opportunity to have a break in France. Our first week will be from 27 August to 3 September 2022. Tap here to find out more.

Scottish Gathering returns

May 15: "It was my first TCF gathering. I made the right decision to meet our compassionate friends. Everyone is so kind, supportive, I’m ever so grateful for the comfort and support on this painful journey".

Amazing weekend...exactly what I needed

May 11: "I spent last weekend with The Compassionate Friends for a bereaved siblings' retreat...It lasted 24h but the deep bonds formed within that short space of time meant it felt like I'd been there weeks. I can't wait for the next one".

Thank you to all our incredible fundraisers of 2021!

Mar 31: The Compassionate Friends wishes to thank everyone who supported our work this year, including those who made donations, who raised funds in memory of their child or sibling, and who celebrated their birthday via Facebook.

New support day in Glasgow

Mar 14: "On Saturday 5 March, 2022, I spent the day with a roomful of strangers, but we all had one thing in common. We were parents who had lost a child to suicide or substance use. I was nervous as I drove to the event and had all these thoughts going round in my head..."

Finally back at a weekend retreat

Mar 9: In February 2022, we ran our first weekend retreat for bereaved parents for 2 years. The pandemic meant that we were not able to run any supportive weekends - it was absolutely brilliant to get back to supporting in person again.

TCF walks are back!

Jan 25: We’ve turned the corner of this winter but still have a little way to go. As we look forward to Spring, TCF will be organising a series of monthly walks through to the Autumn.

Join our staff team

Nov 9: Our charity is looking for two wonderful people to help us in our national office, based in Kilburn, London NW6. Come and join our small, but growing, and hugely dedicated staff team.

One man cycling!

Oct 31: On 28 September 2021, 4 years after the death of his son Stevie, Gary Goodwin set off on his epic challenge - to cycle the length of the United Kingdom.

Back in person - bereavement support days

Oct 5: "I would recommend giving a day away with TCF a try, it’s last place you want to be, right? Yes and no, it’s the best place to be if you’re a bereaved parent".

We are hiring!

May 27: Find out more about an exciting opportunity to join our small team as our new Events & Community Fundraiser - and make a real difference to the growth of The Compassionate Friends.

Bearing The Unbearable with Dr Joanne Cacciatore

May 8: Join bereaved mother and traumatic grief expert, Dr Joanne Cacciatore, as she shares her reflections on love, loss and the heartbreaking path of grief after the death of a child.

Upright With Knickers On

Mar 17: Three bereaved mums - Kelly, Anne and Jill; three dads - Terry, Andrew and Graham; and a bereaved sibling - Rachael, spoke movingly and with huge courage and honesty about what has helped them survive and find meaning and hope again after the death of their child or sibling.

My Champion, Me - Let's Talk Self-compassion with Sangeeta Mahajan

Feb 18: Dr Sangeeta Majahan lost her only son to suicide over 6 years ago. In her second online talk for TCF she shares with us her reflections around the themes of loss, grief and self-compassion.

Legacies from Grief

Jan 27: A new book has just been published with contributions from many members of The Compassionate Friends, offering hope to bereaved families after the death of a child.

YouTube Channel launched

Jan 7: The Compassionate Friends UK have a YouTube channel! You can view, watch and listen again to our autumn series of talks, a beautiful December candle lighting event, our short film, Say Their Name, and much more.

UK Worldwide Candle Lighting 2020

Dec 15: The Compassionate Friends, UK Worldwide Candle Lighting on 13 December 2020 is available to view on YouTube on The Compassionate Friends UK channel.

2020 Book of Remembrance

Dec 8: Throughout December, you can post a message of remembrance in our 2020 Book for your son or daughter, brother or sister, or grandchild. You can also include a photograph with your message if you wish.

Hope of finding the mourning light through the mist of grief

Nov 13: Andrea Corrie, author of Into The Mourning Light, and also Living In The Mourning Light, spoke to a full house at a gathering of bereaved parents online on the evening of the 11th of November 2020.

Grenades and Guillotines with Cathy Rentzenbrink

Oct 16: Listen to author Cathy Rentzenbrink speak movingly and with huge honesty about the unpredictability of grief and the impact the early loss of her brother Matty had on her life and her family.

A Good Mourning

Sep 4: Join Maria Ahern for her wise, honest, moving and inspiring words as she shares her personal perspectives and reflections since the loss of her only child, her son James, and how she has found ways to have a 'good mourning'

Trustee Election 2020

Aug 12

Personal Reflections on Finding Meaning

Aug 6: There were so many beautiful thoughts in Sangeeta’s presentation, that I would recommend you seek out the video recording and let them all wash over you. The reactions from the watching audience were coming in waves as each person responded individually to an image or thought that resonated with them personally.

Finding Meaning After Loss

Jul 13

Compassion magazine - now in new flipping book format!

Jun 10

Grieving in isolation - stories from bereaved parents and siblings

May 10

Join us...one-off specialist virtual support groups.

Apr 28

Staying connected - update

Mar 17

Thoughts from our new Chair of Trustees

Mar 6

New Derbyshire bereavement support day

Feb 25

‘We keep him close, always’: how I survived the loss of my teenage son'

Jan 18

Sharing Grief, Finding Hope at 50th Anniversary

Nov 15

Impact Report Just Published

Nov 9

Launch of online newsletter for bereaved siblings

Sep 5

Remembering our Child – NEW leaflet and handbook just published

Sep 2

New advice published for professionals supporting bereaved parents and families

Sep 1

Just published...50th Anniversary commemorative edition of Compassion

Jun 16

Death of Joan Henderson, founder parent of The Compassionate Friends

Jun 4

"I've found a community where I can truly open up"

May 24

Scottish Gathering "emotional but there's lots of laughter too..."

May 10

Join us for Tea & Cake at Fifty

Feb 28

NEW - stunning butterfly design cards for any occasion

Feb 22

Booking opens for 50th Anniversary Gathering

Jan 23: Join us for this very special weekend of support, understanding and friendship

Book of Remembrance

Dec 19

Thoughts from the Chair of TCF as we approach Christmas

Nov 29

Fundraising concert a huge success

Oct 23

Singer George Shelley finds comfort at TCF retreat

Oct 3

New leaflets for bereaved parents and families

Aug 6

“The wound is where the light enters you”. Third supportive weekend for parents bereaved by suicide or substance use

Jul 12

Summer 2018 publications - now out

Jun 11

Memorial garden unveiled at Scottish Gathering

May 1

"I couldn’t imagine feeling joy like I feel today..."

Apr 23

"I did the unthinkable..." Overnight retreat for bereaved siblings

Apr 23

"If you've not been to one of these events, please go, you won't regret it".

Apr 4

Spring 2018 editions of TCF publications - out now

Mar 12

New private Facebook for parents who have suffered loss of a baby, toddler or pre-school child

Feb 13

New fact sheets - making a complaint to or about the NHS

Dec 18

Worldwide Candle Lighting 2017 - love, light and remembrance

Dec 6

Gathering in Northamptonshire 'bursting with positive'.

Nov 14

Would you like a grief companion/befriender?

Oct 22

At the end of the day I felt 'lighter'...support day in Hampshire

Sep 17

Could you be a TCF Trustee?

Aug 2

"I didn't want to leave. We could've stayed all week!!"

Jul 26

We're moving!

Jul 19

Stories of grief, hope and resilience in feature documentary

Jul 12

Royal mourners attend funeral of TCF President and Patron Countess Mountbatten

Jun 28

Death announced of Countess Mountbatten, passionate supporter of The Compassionate Friends

Jun 15

Charity place available in 2018 London Marathon

Jun 9

"Wonderful memories of a beautiful weekend filled with warmth, laughter and hope".

May 18

Supportive weekend for adult bereaved siblings

Apr 17

Spring editions of our publications - out now.

Mar 20

Help our charity to improve and develop

Jan 26

Making connections, finding support - retreat weekend January 2017

Jan 17

New private Facebook group for bereaved dads

Dec 13

Winter 2016/7 editions of our publications - out now.

Dec 10

Worldwide Candle Lighting 2016

Dec 4

Packed AGM spellbound by author of The Sad Book

Nov 7

A powerful, searingly honest account of loss at this year's National Gathering

Oct 10

Trustee Election Update

Sep 29

Stunning new look for TCF publications

Sep 20

We are recruiting!

Sep 14: Advert for Volunteer Coordinator role.

Notice of Trustee Election

Aug 10: Trustee election notice and nomination form

A message from the TCF Trustees

Jul 28: Message from TCF Trustees - new CEO, two new positions to be recruited, office move

New 3 day retreat offers parents support and comfort

Jul 21: Feedback from retreat for parents bereaved by suicide, addiction or substance use.

New range of TCF merchandise launched

Jun 29: New range of TCF merchandise launched

Sad news of the death Joe Lawley

Jun 13: The death of Joe Lawley, one of the Founder parents of TCF.

London Marathon runner presents cheque

Jun 13: London Marathon runner, Marcus Hunt, presents cheque to The Compassionate Friends.

Bookings for our supportive National Gathering are now open …

Jun 8: 'Continuing Love – Regaining Hope' is the theme for the National Gathering in Northampton from 7th-9th October.

Loss of a Child – New UK Facebook page

Mar 13: The Compassionate Friends UK has a new private Facebook group for any parent whose son or daughter has died at any age, and from any cause.

New Retreat for parents bereaved by suicide, addiction or substance use

Feb 9

Election result

Feb 3

‘I returned with a heightened sense of freedom – permission to grieve as I need.’

Jan 11

Support our work

Each year thousands of parents suffer the loss of a son or a daughter. Please help us to support families in their time of greatest need.

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