Supportive Retreat Weekend for Parents Bereaved by Suicide or Alcohol or Substance Use

7 July 2023 – 9 July 2023

The Woodbrooke Centre, Birmingham

Booking for this retreat is now closed as the weekend is now full.

If you have not been to the weekend retreat before please contact us to go on the waiting list and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Please contact info@tcf.org.uk

As this event is oversubscribed, priority will be given to those who are coming to this weekend retreat for the first time.

About the weekend

This is a unique opportunity to come and meet with others who understand the pain of the loss of a beloved son or daughter to suicide or to substance use. Here you can immerse yourself in the comfort and warmth of a dedicated team of bereaved parent supporters.

The weekend will be a mixture of sharing sessions and activities which you are free to participate in as much, or as little, as you wish. Most of all, this is an opportunity to spend a few days away with people who truly understand what it means to be a parent bereaved in these particularly difficult ways.

The weekend will run from 5pm on Friday July 7th. Tea, coffee and cake will be available from 4pm on Friday afternoon with dinner at 7pm.and finish after lunch on Sunday July 9th at around 2pm.

Check in is from 3pm on Friday July 7th. Check out is at 11am on July 9th.

What others said about a previous retreat:

"A wonderful weekend Retreat at Woodbrooke meeting so many people who have all been so kind and supportive. A place where there is no need to explain, or justify one's existence. A place just to be, to speak a very familiar language and to be understood, to make new friends, to be loved and to love in return."

"A great men's group. Thank you all so much, my first retreat, and definitely not my last. Thank you to everyone at TCF making this such a special time of affirmation, love and celebration of our children's lives. We have been cared for so well."

"It was brilliant. So good to talk to people who really understand where you’re coming from. Everything was perfect - the place and gardens, workshops, food, being surrounded by lovely people such a change from “normal daily life “where we put on a mask!"

"A lovely warm, embracing weekend with people who speak our language “grief”."

"I have felt so safe and supported and I have found new ways of expression."

"My experience lived up to what I have heard when I first posted asking about this retreat. I have never cried so much in one weekend and equally I have never laughed so much!"

About the venue

Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, the Grade II listed former family home of the chocolate maker, George Cadbury, is located within easy reach of Birmingham city centre.

Set in 10 acres of organically managed gardens and woodlands, including a lake and a walled garden, this unique and historic house offers a relaxed and welcoming environment, with a wonderful sense of peace and tranquillity.

With comfortable bedrooms, a bright and airy modern lounge and terrace overlooking the garden, plus freshly prepared organic meals, the venue offers a delightful space in which to relax in the company of others who truly understand.

You can find directions to Woodbrooke here:

Although this retreat will be held in a Quaker centre, please note that it is not a religious event. The Compassionate Friends has no religious affiliation, and we welcome parents from all faith backgrounds and none.

How can you book?

If you pay a donating membership to The Compassionate Friends the cost is £260 per person. (If money is tight just now, please see details of bursaries available below. We encourage you to apply for financial assistance if this would help you to attend the weekend. Don't let lack of finance be a factor in your decision to attend - we want as many parents as possible to access our peer support).

For non-donating members the cost is £290 per person and this will include one year's donating membership of TCF.

The price includes full board from Friday afternoon tea through to Sunday lunch.

There are a very few non-residential places available at £160 for members and non members.

Full payment is required at time of booking. (If this causes you a problem, please get in touch and we will try hard to be flexible).

Places are limited, so please book early. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PARENTS WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED A RETREAT WEEKEND BEFORE.

Bursary Fund

Please note that bursaries are open to all if money is tight just now. We very much encourage you to apply for bursaries as we have funds specifically donated to our charity to help parents to attend our supportive events.

There are bursaries available to fund part or all of the costs of the weekend to those experiencing financial hardship. If you would like to apply for financial assistance please ask us for a bursary application form on 0345 120 3785 or info@tcf.org.uk. Closing date for bursary applications is 1st June 2023.

Also, if you feel able to contribute towards our bursary fund, thereby enabling others with limited financial means to attend the retreat, please add your contribution to the Fund to your payment. Our warmest thanks for enabling our charity to support others.

Should you need to cancel your booking please do so by 8th June 2023 and we will refund your payment, less a £25 admin fee per person. After this date, we are sorry but our charity is unable to offer any refunds.

Feeling unsure?

If you are wondering whether this retreat is for you, are feeling unsure about any aspect, or would like to talk through anything about the retreat, please do feel free to contact the Helpline on 0345 123 2304 and someone will call you back.

This weekend is primarily for bereaved parents. However, adult siblings would be welcome to attend if accompanying a parent (and willing to share a room) but please note there will not be a separate sibling programme.

Please note Woodbrooke is an alcohol-free building. Alcohol is not permitted in any of the public areas. Smoking is permitted in the allocated smoking area in the grounds.

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.