Supportive Retreat for Childless Parents: POSTPONED TO 2021

24 July 2020, 16.00 – 26 July 2020, 14.00

Charney Manor, Oxfordshire

DUE TO CORONAVIRUS THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED

Please save the date for next year 30 July - 1 August 2021

Please keep checking our website for our plans to stay connected online.

 

You are warmly invited to join us for this unique weekend especially for parents who have lost their only child or all their children.

Whether your loss happened recently, or some time ago, here you will be with others who understand what it means to lose your only child or children.

If you are newly bereaved, please do know there will be other parents who are recently bereaved and our team of bereaved parent volunteers will also be there to help and support you. Come and meet and talk with others in safe and supportive surroundings and find comfort, hope and reassurance that you are not alone.

Our weekend together is at Charney Manor, a 13th Century Conference and Retreat Centre owned by the Society of Friends (Quakers). It is an idyllic, peaceful and safe venue surrounded by beautiful gardens in a village setting. Charney Manor offers simple, comfortable accommodation of single and twin bedrooms - most bedrooms are en-suite, or with private bathrooms.

There are a few rooms with a shared bathroom (one bathroom between 2) and these are available at a slightly reduced cost.

Throughout the weekend, you can join in the suggested optional programme of sharing sessions and activities, or simply relax in the hotel and wonderful gardens or talk with other parents.

Here are some comments from parents who came to the retreat last year:

"I was comforted more, far more than I realised. It was wonderful to connect with so many new people and share not only our sadness but also to laugh"

"I came away knowing there is some trickle of light in this grief we all share".

"Thank you all for a most supportive weekend. After initial anxieties and an urge to run home we settled and relaxed".

"I came away feeling much more positive, perhaps seeing so many newly bereaved parents who’ve lost their only child so recently made me ‘appreciate’ that even though I feel so alone I am no longer in that raw, early gut wrenching state of grief".

 

COSTS

We will have the sole use of the hotel. The price per person in en-suite accommodation is £230 for donating members of TCF and £260 for non-donating members (including one year membership of TCF).

These costs include full bed and board from Friday afternoon, through to Sunday after lunch.

Please book early as places are limited since the venue can accommodate a maximum of 35 residential guests. There are also opportunities to attend on a non-residential basis e.g. for the day on Saturday, or the half day on Sunday - or both. Please call us on 0345 120 3785 or email for day rates.

Please let us know if you have a problem meeting the cost as we may be able to help with full or part bursaries for those on limited financial means. Call us or email for a copy of the bursary application form to complete.

The nearest train station is Didcot, which is approximately 12 miles from Charney Manor. The Manor has details of a taxi company that offers preferential rates to guests.

You can book online here or call or email our National Office.

CANCELLATIONS

Should you need to cancel your booking please do so by 12th June 2020 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.

If you are unsure, or have any aspect you would like to talk over, please contact our National Office on 0345 120 3785 or by email to info@tcf.org.uk

Please note that our weekend retreats are run by bereaved parent volunteers. Our volunteers are not professionals and so what we offer is a uniquely warm, comforting and supportive two days organised and facilitated by parents who have also experienced the loss of a child and have found understanding and hope themselves through The Compassionate Friends.