29 April 2023, 12.00 – 30 April 2023, 14.00

Woodbrooke Centre, Birmingham

We're sorry but this retreat is now fully booked. We do sometimes have cancellations so if you would like to attend please email us at events@tcf.org.uk to go on the waiting list. Thank you.

An overnight retreat for bereaved brothers and sisters aged 18+

Please join us for a supportive retreat from lunchtime Saturday 29 April until after lunch on Sunday 30 April. This will be a unique opportunity to meet in a safe place and share with others who have experienced the loss of a sibling. In a relaxed and comfortable environment, with a lakeside setting, you can find support and understanding, strategies to cope with life after loss, and build resilience for the future.

Bursary fund and costs

The Compassionate Friends can offer bursaries to those who would be unable to attend without financial assistance. We encourage you to apply for financial help to be with us, so please do ask us for a bursary application form on 0345 120 3785 or info@tcf.org.uk. Closing date for bursary applications is 21 March 2023.

The cost for the weekend - including all meals, accommodation and activities from Saturday lunch until after lunch on Sunday is £125.

There are also some options for shared rooms at £65 per person. Please indicate who you would like to share with. There is no option to share with someone that you do not know.

When you book, if you feel able to contribute towards our bursary fund for this and future retreats for siblings, please add your donation to the fund to your payment. Our warmest thanks for enabling our charity to support others.

Please note that if the weekend is oversubscribed priority will be given to those who have not attended a sibling retreat before.

 

We recommend that you be 3 months + bereaved before coming to a supportive retreat weekend.

See what people said about an earlier retreat:

"For the first time (since losing my brother) I was in a room full of people who understood me. I could talk to people without fear of judgment, without the fear of making people uncomfortable or having to filter myself when things got awkward. I was surrounded by people I didn’t have to explain myself to because they had been through the loss of their best friend, brother or sister. They knew the pain and we realised in those moments, when we bared our souls to each other and cried our hearts out, it was ok that we were broken. It was ok that we might never be fixed because at least we weren’t alone. We finally had each other. "

"I've always struggled to talk about my bereavement and for the first time in eight years, I've found a community where I could truly open up."

"I would highly recommend events like this to everyone who reads this and might be thinking of doing something like this but has stopped themselves, I was hesitant and nervous but it soon went and I realised we are all dealing with our individual struggles but we should let others help we can’t do this on our own!"

"I honestly think it is one of the best things I have done in terms of it helping me deal with my grief."

"This weekend has changed me as a person. I’ve met some of the bravest and most inspiring people I’ll ever meet. The people who understand the pain and heartbreak of losing a sibling, who are there to listen as well as share their sibling’s stories. These people I hope to continue to call friends. I can’t explain how amazing it is to talk to other people who have been through the same experience and won’t judge you because they understand everything you are saying. Thank you so much to The Compassionate Friends for organising the retreat and I look forward to seeing everyone again next year."

"I did the unthinkable... I walked into a room full of strangers and left with lots of hugs and tears and great memories. Thank you so much for the retreat, I didn't realise how much I needed it."

Places are limited so please do book early.

About Woodbrooke

Woodbrooke is approx. 5 miles south of Birmingham city centre. If travelling by train, travel to Birmingham New Street station, and either take a taxi or 61 or 63 bus direct to the door of Woodbrooke, or one of the regular trains to Selly Oak station (10 minute train journey).

For more information please contact Woodbrooke direct.

Please note that Woodbrooke is an alcohol-free building. Alcohol is not permitted in any of the public areas (although there will be the opportunity to visit a local pub on Saturday evening for those who wish). Smoking is permitted in the allocated smoking area in the grounds.

N.B. Although held at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, there is no religious content to this event.

 

More information

If you would like more information about the weekend please contact events@tcf.org.uk

If you are interested in joining our private Siblings Facebook group please contact info@tcf.org.uk

 

Cancellations

Please note that if you need to cancel your place, please do so by 29 March 2023 and we will be able to refund your place, less a £25 admin fee. After that date we are afraid that our charity will be unable to offer any refunds.

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