Supportive Weekend Retreat for Parents in Early Bereavement

15 March 2024, 16.00 – 17 March 2024, 14.00

Ammerdown Centre, near Bath

We're sorry but this retreat weekend is now FULLY BOOKED.

We do sometimes get cancellations, so if you would like to be added to the waiting list for the weekend please contact events@tcf.org.uk.

This supportive retreat weekend is especially for those parents who are in the first few years of bereavement. The timescale is not fixed, but please note that the weekend is for those who feel they are still in the acute early phase of grief.

Please note we will be giving priority to those who have not attended this retreat weekend before.

 

(If you are bereaved more than 3 years please call us on 0345 120 3785 or email info@tcf.org.uk to discuss whether the weekend will be appropriate for you - thank you so much).

Come and meet with others who understand the pain of early grief, 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 this raw and overwhelming grief for our child.

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

"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."

"There was such a feeling of togetherness and mutual support which is so important for parents who have lost a child".

"The volunteers were truly wonderful; facilitating workshops, rounding us up for meals but, most especially, as true compassionate friends; I felt they were there to listen and console, giving hugs liberally while I talked about my son or cried.
I came away with so much!

Most importantly, I came away with new friends within what I now think of as my Family of Compassionate Friends. I came away with some insight, some new perspectives, and new ways to help and look after myself. It's so good to know you are there, and that I have friends who truly understand".

"Whilst this is a club that none of us want to join, being around people that understand, being able to talk openly and frankly about your child without people looking away, and just being able to cry without fear of judgement has been immensely liberating... If you've not been to one of these events, please go, you won't regret it".

"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."

"It may sound inappropriate to say of a bereavement weekend but it was truly amazing".

The venue

The Ammerdown Centre is a Retreat Centre nestling in woods next to a stately home, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and parkland, with a beautiful chapel in its midst. The whole place is steeped in peace and tranquillity. No traffic noise, only birdsong! Yet, it is only 12 miles from Bath and is easy to access, with ample free car parking on site.

Ammerdown is not meant to be a 5-star hotel. Rooms are simple but very comfortable, with en-suite facilities. The staff are dedicated to making us warmly welcome, and the home-cooked food is of a high quality.

(Please note that although Ammerdown is a Christian Centre it is open to people of all faiths and none, and the supportive weekend we run here for The Compassionate Friends has no religious content).

There is a railway station in Bath, and it is easy to get a bus from the station to the short distance to Radstock. We can arrange to pick you up from Radstock bus station which is just 1.5 miles away from Ammerdown.

Read more about The Ammerdown Centre.

Costs

The cost is £325 per person for the weekend.  This rate covers full board from Friday afternoon tea through to Sunday lunch. There will be a licensed bar (at additional cost).

We ask for full payment at time of booking.

The actual cost of hospitality has risen over the last year and although we are subsidising this retreat weekend as much as we can in a challenging financial environment for our charity we are charging the lowest rates possible. 

Bursaries 

We have had a great number of applications and we, sadly, cannot take any more. All the bursary places we have available have been allocated now. Thankyou.

Please note priority for bursaries will be for newly bereaved parents and for those who have not accessed TCF support or a retreat weekend/support day before.

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. (We will be running a TCF retreat for bereaved adult siblings in April 2024 - book here The Compassionate Friends | Events | Supportive Sibling Weekend Retreat (tcf.org.uk)

Feeling unsure?

If you would like reassurance or to talk through anything about the weekend please contact Sharon on 0345 120 3785 or email events@tcf.org.uk

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel your booking please do so by February 16th 2024 and we will refund your payment, less a £25 administration fee. After this date, we are sorry but our charity is unable to offer any refunds.

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 found support through The Compassionate Friends.

Book here