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Supportive Overnight Retreat for Bereaved Siblings (18+)

Supportive Overnight Retreat for Bereaved Siblings (18+)

Makeney Hall Hotel, Makeney Road, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RS.
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22 March 2025, 12.00 – 23 March 2025, 14.00

Makeney Hall Hotel, Belper, Derbyshire

We’re sorry but this retreat is now fully booked.

We sometimes have cancellations so if you would like to attend please email us at events@tcf.org.uk to go on to the waiting list. We give priority to those who have not attended a retreat before. 

Thank you. 

Please join us at a warm and supportive overnight retreat for bereaved siblings (aged 18 years+) from lunchtime Saturday 22 March until after lunch on Sunday 23 March.

This will be an opportunity to meet in a safe place and share with others who have experienced the loss of a brother or sister. All are welcome whether your loss was as an adult or as a child.

The retreat is in a beautiful and comfortable environment. All bedrooms are single occupancy and en-suite. All refreshments, meals and activities are included. The Compassionate Friends has exclusive use of the hotel for the duration of the retreat. For more details about the venue go to Makeney Hall

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. 

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.”

Listen to two bereaved siblings sharing their experience from the 2024 sibling overnight retreat.

Kim’s experience

Victoria’s experience

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

COSTS

The cost of the overnight retreat is £150 to include all meals, accommodation and activities from Saturday lunch until after lunch on Sunday. This supportive event is subsidised by The Compassionate Friends. 

We no longer able to accept any further bursary applications. If you have already applied for a bursary you will receive a decision by 14 February 2025. 

If the event is oversubscribed, priority will be given to those who have not attended a sibling retreat or support day before.

CANCELLATIONS

If you need to cancel your place, please do so by 28 February 2025 and we will be able to refund your place, less a £25 admin fee. After that date we are afraid that our charity is unable to offer any refunds.

THE VENUE

Set in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, Makeney Hall is a comfortable, Victorian style hotel that has been recently renovated. 

Please note that bar facilities are available at extra cost. 

GETTING THERE

If you are driving to Makeney Hall please note that there is ample parking. 

The nearest train station is Duffield (approximately 1 mile) or Belper (approximately 3 miles). Taxis must be booked in advance for collection from either station.  Buses from Duffield station run every 15 minutes - it is a short walk from the bus stop to the venue. 

With advance notice, our volunteers may be able to collect you from Duffield station.

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If your loss is within the last 3 months we ask that you wait a little longer before accessing our support events. Our Helpline on 0345 123 2304 is here if you would like to talk with a volunteer who is there to listen and empathise. 

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

If you would like more information about the retreat please contact us

 

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Each year thousands of parents suffer the loss of a son or a daughter. Please help TCF to support families in their time of greatest need.

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