Supportive Retreat Weekend for Parents in Early Bereavement

23 March 2018, 16.00 – 25 March 2018, 14.00

Willersley Castle Hotel, Derbyshire

THIS RETREAT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE EMAIL THE OFFICE ON events@tcf.org.uk or CALL 0345 120 3785 TO GO ON THE WAITING LIST

This supportive retreat weekend is aimed especially at those parents who are in the first few years of bereavement.

(If you are bereaved more than 5 years please do not book online but call our office on 0345 120 3785 or email info@tcf.org.uk to discuss your booking - thank you).

Come and meet with others who understand, and immerse yourself in the comfort and warmth of a dedicated team of bereaved parent supporters.

The two days will be a mixture of discussions and activities which you are free to participate in as much or as little as you want. Most of all, this is an opportunity to spend a few days away with people who truly understand what it means to be a bereaved parent in the early months of raw and devastating grief.

Feedback from parents who have been at previous weekends...

"This has truly been a weekend of compassion and friendship...Being amongst recently bereaved parents, but with the kindness, support and wisdom of those further along the path was exactly the right mix."

"It has been wonderful being with people who understand and be able to share our stories and lovely memories of our lovely children."

"I am so glad I came to the TCF weekend. My son passed away 3 months ago so it has been a real comfort to me meeting people who have been through the same awful thing."

"A wonderful, caring atmosphere. All the volunteers made us all feel so welcome and loved, with our children at the very heart of this gathering."

"...everything was well run and done so in a very sympathetic way. All the people attending, including those from compassionate friends, were all bereaved parents or siblings. It mattered not if you became upset or cried. Everyone there knew how we felt. No masks were put on or had to be put on."

"We were encouraged to tell our stories, to talk about our beloved children, laugh and cry if we wished. And that is what made the weekend so special, we have all lost someone we love unconditionally so we have an innate understanding of one another. We may differ in how we cope with our grief but with gentle guidance from the supportive volunteers and by just being together... we came to understand we are not alone in the dark."

"A wonderfully therapeutic weekend - such a safe place to be ourselves, wear our broken hearts on our sleeves - a time for our masks to fall and just be the grieving parents that we are."

 

Willersley Castle Hotel occupies a magnificent position on the edge of the Peak District overlooking the River Derwent, within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site, just south of the spa town of Matlock Bath. There is a railway station very nearby in Cromford. We can arrange lifts from the station.

The price per person is as follows

For donating members of TCF:

• a standard room is £169 per person for the weekend. Please note that some of the standard rooms are in the Mews - this is an annexe to the main hotel which is separate from the main building - it is just approx. 50 yards walk up a slight incline. For mobility reasons if you cannot stay in the Mews please let us know at time of booking.

(For non-donating members of TCF the cost is £199 per person for a standard room.These prices include one year donating membership of TCF).

These rates cover full board from Friday afternoon tea through to Sunday lunch. There will be a licensed bar (at additional cost).

Please note that all superior rooms have now been booked.

We are now accepting bookings from parents bereaved up to five years.

We ask for full payment at time of booking. If this causes you hardship please let us know and we may be able to help.

This weekend is primarily for bereaved parents. Adult siblings would be welcome to attend if accompanying a parent (and willing to share a room) but there will not be a separate sibling programme at the retreat.

There is also an option to stay extra nights on Thursday night and/or Sunday night, but please note that there will be no retreat programme on these nights.

Feeling unsure?

If you would like reassurance or to talk through anything about the weekend please contact Sue Hughes on 01628 898514 (if no answer please leave a message and Sue will get back to you) or email her at shughes@webmd.net.

Cancellations
Should you need to cancel your booking please do so by 23rd February 2018 and we will refund your payment, less a £25 admin fee. After this date, we are sorry but our charity is unable to offer any refunds.