Latest news

Our runners triumph at the Royal Parks Half Marathon

Trustees wanted!

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 can be 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.

Trustees play an active role in setting and maintaining the vision, mission and values of the organisation. They set the strategic direction for the charity and offer leadership, define goals, set targets and evaluate performance. Trustees are also responsible for the good governance of the charity. Our Board meets four times a year and sometimes at an annual away day. Trustees are very much invited to contribute outside of meetings where needed.

Our charity offering peer support to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents continues to grow and develop. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and the economic environment, we are continuing to develop our staff and volunteer capabilities, and to improve and grow the range of supportive services and activities available to bereaved parents and their families across the UK. We are looking for Trustees that can help us to develop our strategic direction, realise our strategic goals, continue with strong governance and ultimately grow our organisation to be the principal national charitable organisation offering peer support to bereaved parents and their families.

The Board would be especially assisted by individuals with knowledge, skills and experience in these particular areas

• Human Resources and Training
• Fundraising
• Leadership
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Digital Media/Social Media/IT
• Communications and Marketing
• Mental Health Services and Healthcare
• Events Management

This not an exhaustive list and you may have other skills, experience and knowledge that would benefit the charity.

HOW TO APPLY TO BE A CHARITY TRUSTEE FOR TCF.

Download and complete the NOMINATION FORM. Then ask another donating member of TCF to nominate you.

Then return the completed Nomination Form by Wednesday 31 August 2022 to The Compassionate Friends by email to info@tcf.org.uk or by post to: The Compassionate Friends, Kilburn Grange, Priory Park Road, London NW6 7UJ

Breaks for bereaved parents in France

One of the most difficult things to do after the death of a son or daughter is going away on holiday...having to see all those 'complete' families can be just unbearable. So, The Compassionate Friends is building a new relationship to provide bereaved parents an opportunity to have a break in France.

Jack and Margaret Reckitt have a holiday and retreat business, called Manoir Mouret, in South West France. Mouret is made up of 4 self-contained properties and in total can provide accommodation for up to 24 people. Jack and Margaret would like to make Mouret available to members of The Compassionate Friends, without charge, to have a break. We have agreed a first TCF week this summer which is from Saturday 27 August to Saturday 3 September. Only TCF members will be staying during the week and the intention to create a private, peaceful environment where people can relax.

This first week is for bereaved parents only. There will be no children staying at Manoir Mouret in this week - adults only. At Manoir Mouret you will know that during that week only bereaved parents will be there. You can talk together and share your stories if you want or keep more private if you wish - but you will know you are among others who 'get it'.

Please note it is ok to go on your own or you might prefer to go with others - perhaps a one other or a few parents from a TCF support group or you might have met others at a retreat weekend or support day...you could share one of the gites perhaps or the main house.

Here are a few Questions & Answers that we have put together with Jack and Margaret which hopefully answer some questions you may have including what to do next if you are interested in learning more and/or staying at Mouret this summer.

Next year we plan to organise a couple (or more) weeks at Mouret and we will let members know as soon as these 2023 dates have been settled.

Scottish Gathering returns

The weekend of 6 -8 May 2022 saw the return, after 3 years, of the Scottish Gathering of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents in Stirling. Over 100 attended and participated in a weekend of empathy, understanding, support and care. Thank you to the amazing volunteer team - Clare, Karen, Marion, Sharryn, Janice, Mandy, Maureen, Hugh, Ruby and Val - for organising this hugely supportive weekend.

During the Gathering a special visit was made to the wonderful memorial garden created especially for The Compassionate Friends by the charity Beautiful Perth. We unveiled a lovely new sculpture to add to this amazing garden. If you are in Perth do go and visit. More details here

 

Here Hugh McAninch, one of the organisers of the first Scottish Gatherings shares his reflections...

In 1998 the first Scottish Gathering was in Perth and how fitting it was to have been gifted our truly amazing memorial garden for our loved ones right in the centre of this beautiful Scottish city. Each year since 2017, apart from the awful pandemic lockdown years of 20/21, John Summers MBE and Beautiful Perth have added something extra special to compliment this wonderful garden. This weekend their gift was this amazing sculpture and I was privileged and delighted, along with our CEO Carolyn Brice, to do the unveiling. The little red breasted robin at the top of sculpture holds a heart and how fitting as the theme for the weekend in Stirling was that our children and loved ones will always be anchored there. Our children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters will never be forgotten and this beautiful garden is, and always will be, a testament to that".

Read a full report on the Scottish Gathering here.

Next year's Scottish Gathering will be 24-26 March 2023. Save the date!