Supportive Sibling Weekend Retreat

27 April 2024 – 28 April 2024

The Vedanta, Branston, Lincoln

PLEASE JOIN US

An overnight retreat for bereaved brothers and sisters aged 18+

BOOK HERE

ABOUT THE WEEKEND

Please join us at a supportive retreat from lunchtime Saturday 27 April until after lunch on Sunday 28 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. The retreat is in a beautiful, relaxed and comfortable environment, amongst 75 acres of woodlands, meadows and lakes. 

We hope that being together with other siblings, you will find support and understanding as well as strategies to cope with life after loss, and build resilience for the future. 

The Compassionate Friends has exclusive use of this venue for the weekend.  For more details please see here The Vedanta

 

COSTS

The price of the weekend - including all meals, accommodation and activities from Saturday lunch until after lunch on Sunday is £150. This weekend is partially subsidised by The Compassionate Friends. 

Please note that the pool and spa will not be open over the weekend. 

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.

The Compassionate Friends can offer a limited number of 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 22 March 2024. 

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

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

See what siblings have 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.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Lincoln station is approximately 30 minutes by bus from The Vedanta.  If you plan to come by car there is ample parking for 45 cars.

About The Vedanta

Alcohol will be sold on the premises. There is no smoking anywhere in the building or in the grounds.  

All meals are vegetarian or vegan.  No outdoor shoes are permitted in the building so please bring slippers with you.

More information

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

We do apologise but this supportive retreat is not suitable for anyone bereaved 4 months or less. Please contact the Helpline on 0345 123 2304 if you are under 4 months bereaved

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

Cancellations

If you need to cancel your place, please do so by 29 March 2024 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.

BOOK HERE