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2023 breaks for bereaved parents in France
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 new relationship with Jack and Margaret Reckitt who have a holiday and retreats business, Manoir Mouret, in South West France. In 2023 they are offering TCF three weeks for Compassionate Friends members to have a break, at no charge.
In August 2022 our first group of TCF members spent a week at Manoir Mouret and experienced not only the peaceful rural property itself but also the companionship of being in a safe supportive space with other bereaved parents. Some of the parents have kindly shared their thoughts about their break, TCF Parents Feedback (go to Section 5 to read the feedback)
During each TCF week the only guests at Manoir Mouret are TCF members. You can talk together and share your stories if you want or keep more private if you wish. The weeks are not TCF run events and no TCF volunteers or staff will be there in that capacity - but you will know you are among others who 'get it'.
In 2023 the three TCF weeks at Manoir Mouret will be one week during the school holidays for families with school age children and two for adults only.
Family Week –29 July to 5 August 2023
The week of 29 July to 5 August 2023 will be our first TCF family week at Mouret. It is for TCF families with at least 1 school aged child (18 and under).
Manoir Mouret is made up of 4 individual self-catering properties of different sizes, (sleeping from 4 people to 10 people) so up to 4 families will have their own private holiday home for the week but share outside spaces such as the pool, tennis court and gardens with the other TCF families.
Parents Only Weeks – 3-10 June 2023 & 23-30 September 2023
3-10 June and 23-30 September will be weeks for parents. There will be no children staying at Manoir Mouret during these weeks and only bereaved parents will be there.
Please note that for the adult weeks it is ok to go on your own or you might prefer to go with others - perhaps 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 and maybe organise your travel together.
We have put some information together with Jack and Margaret which will hopefully answer some questions you may have including what to do next if you are interested in learning more and/or staying at Mouret in 2023. You can find this at www.manoirmouretretreats.com/tcf2023.
There is also some information in our charity's newsletter, TCF News Winter 2022 edition.
Giving Tuesday - 29th November 2022
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.
We have over 250 volunteers, who are all bereaved parents or bereaved adult siblings. Each year, they provide vital peer support to around 20,000 parents and siblings who have also experienced the pain of loss of a son, daughter, brother or sister of any age and from any cause.
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.
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Each year thousands of parents suffer the loss of a son or a daughter. Please help TCF to support families in their time of greatest need.
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