Online Support Group for Parents Bereaved by Substance or Alcohol Use

3 April 2025, 19.00 – 20.30

Online Via Zoom

 

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These groups are suitable for parents who have been bereaved for at least three months. If your loss is more recent (under three months), we encourage you to contact our helpline for one-to-one listening support on 0345 123 2304 – our helpline team are all bereaved parent volunteers.

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The death of our son or daughter is probably the worst thing that can happen to us as parents, no matter how old they were and no matter how it came about. For each of us, our pain and loss are unique. Sometimes it can feel almost impossible to imagine life without our loved one.

For those of us who go through drug or alcohol related bereavement, there are added complications. We may face social stigma and judgement. We may also judge ourselves harshly because we didn’t feel able to prevent what happened to our child.

Our child may have had the added challenge of living with a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. It might have been such challenges that led them to feel that the use of substances, illicit or otherwise, would help them cope.

Whatever the background to our child’s death, the result is a dreadful tragedy that causes us unimaginable pain.

What parents at a recent group have said:

‘The group was supportive and the volunteers that ran it helped to give hope of a more bearable future. ... I felt a little lighter hearing that this tragic path is not one I walk alone.’

‘Simply being with other parents who are similarly bereaved, and also a few very early in their bereavement, like myself, I found... a sense of connection and shared compassion. It is a source of some comfort to know that you are not alone in feeling some of the raw emotions you have.‘ 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

This online support group is for parents who are bereaved of a child by substance or alcohol use. 

To ensure the group remains as supportive as possible, we limit the number of attendees. Once you book, you will receive further details and the Zoom link closer to the meeting date. If you do not receive the link by the day of the meeting, please check your spam or junk folders. For any queries, please contact info@tcf.org.uk.

When you book for this group, you will be directed to a webpage where we ask you to share some details about your bereavement including whether you are already receiving support from our charity. We appreciate the strong need to share what has happened particularly in the early months and years of our loss – however, to ensure we keep our groups as safe and supportive as possible, we ask that everyone shares the time equally during the sessions. We ask too that no graphic details are shared given these can be triggering and traumatising for everyone.

We kindly ask that you join the group using a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet to ensure the best experience. If you use a mobile phone, you may not be able to see all other participants in the session which can detract from the group experience for you and for other attendees. We ask too that you keep your video on throughout the session.

Please note that our online support groups are facilitated by bereaved parent volunteers who are not professionals. What we hope to offer is a uniquely warm, understanding, and supportive space led by parents who have also experienced the loss of a child and have found connection and hope through The Compassionate Friends.

Since spaces are limited, please book via this webpage to secure your place. Bookings can only be made online. If the session is full, priority will be given to parents who have not attended a Compassionate Friends online support group before.

For any further questions, please contact events@tcf.org.uk.

Please note: This group is for bereaved parents in the UK only. If you are joining from outside the UK, please email us at events@tcf.org.uk for further guidance.

If you are very newly bereaved:
Please note that our online support groups are not suitable for parents who are very newly bereaved. In the early weeks when we are experiencing such raw, vulnerable grief, online support can’t offer the physical presence, comfort and reassurance needed. In some situations, we may contact you to determine if our online group is the right support for you at this time even if you are more than 3 months’ bereaved.

For any further questions, please contact events@tcf.org.uk

PLEASE BOOK HERE