Latest news
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.
Read a full report on the Scottish Gathering here.
Next year's Scottish Gathering will be 24-26 March 2023. Save the date!
Amazing weekend...exactly what I needed
On the weekend of 7-8 May we ran our first overnight retreat for 3 years at Woodbrooke in Birmingham for adult bereaved siblings. It was wonderful to be able to meet in person again. Our brilliant volunteers - Emma, Rachael, Hayley and Karen - all bereaved siblings themselves offered a range of activities and ways to connect - writing and talking, walking and crafting and much more.
"Thank you an incredible weekend in Birmingham, I feel more connected to my sister than I have in a long time".
"Spent this weekend at a sibling bereavement retreat run by the charity The Compassionate Friends. After losing my brother in 2013, I felt so alone. Thanks to this fantastic charity, I was able to find support and connection".
Thank you to all our incredible fundraisers of 2021!
The Compassionate Friends wishes to warmly 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
Our first ever support day for parents bereaved by suicide or substance use was held in Glasgow in early March 2022. Here Karen describes her experience of the day.
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...
“What if I cry too much”?
“Would I be able to speak out to a room filled with people I had just met”?
“What if I make a fool of myself”?
All of these thoughts disappeared as soon as I stepped out of my car and was met by one of the volunteers (also parents) who, like us, had suffered the loss of their much loved child.
As we read through the agenda, it was “full-on” with various break out sessions throughout the day.
I would be lying if I didn’t admit to thinking, “What am I doing here”? As I made my way to the first session, (armed with a picture of my beautiful son Daniel) I felt those butterflies in my stomach at what lay ahead.
However, there is gentleness to the sessions which I think, as well as giving you the strength to talk, it also allows you to actively listen to the others who are actually the only group of people who can truly say,
“I know how you feel.”
There are comfortable silences as we listen to the stories of our loved ones and then take a moment to process it all.
Was it sad?..............YES
Was it intense..........YES
Was I emotionally wiped out at the end?.........YES
Was it worth it................ABSOLUTELY YES
You are not alone in your sadness and your own very personal journey of grief.
There are people out there ready to listen and support.
You just need to make the first move.
We are waiting to meet you.
Karen,
Remembering with much love, Daniel Harkins (1997-2020)
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