Supportive Weekend Retreat for Parents Bereaved between 1 - 10 years.

5 September 2025, 15.00 – 7 September 2025, 14.00

Ammerdown Centre, Nr. Bath

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This retreat weekend will be an opportunity for parents bereaved between 1 and 10 years to be with and share with others who have experienced and appreciate the heartbreak and pain of the loss of a young, teenage or adult child through any cause.

The retreat will provide a warm and supportive 48 hours away in safe surroundings. Our wish is to offer a time to be together to share about our loss and grief as well as opportunities to share our memories and talk about how we really feel in the company of others who understand and share our feelings.

Being together with others who have also experienced the pain of losing a much-loved young, teenage or adult child can offer the hope that the feelings you are experiencing are shared. During the weekend you will be supported by a team of volunteers all of whom are bereaved of a child themselves.

The programme for the retreat will include a range of group discussions on a variety of topics related to child bereavement, as well as supportive activities and workshops such as art and crafts, writing and journalling and physical activities such as relaxation, yoga and walking together.  

All bereaved parents are welcome wherever you are located in the UK.

Please note that bereaved step-parents who had a significant part in the bringing up of the child are welcome at this retreat.

Here are some comments from parents who have attended previous supportive retreat weekends...

“Everything that we participated in during the weekend was planned and delivered with the utmost sensitivity, respect and understanding of our loss. Sharing sessions were presented in a manner that there was something to support each of our individual circumstances and we were able to choose a group that we felt would be helpful to us.”

“A gathering of us all together and an opportunity to share some coping strategies with each other. Sharing ideas in this way also showed that it was ok to speak openly about our feelings, emotions and how we’ve coped since their death.”

“I left feeling so incredibly nurtured and supported and feeling just that bit stronger and better able to keep going.”

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

PRACTICAL INFORMATION 

COSTS

The cost of the weekend retreat is £295 per person. This rate includes all meals, accommodation and activities from Friday afternoon tea through to Sunday lunch. This supportive event is subsidised by The Compassionate Friends. 

We ask for full payment at time of booking. If this causes you any problems, please get in touch with us for alternative arrangements.

Please note that there are double and twin rooms available for couples. Please specify this when you book.

Financial assistance

There are a limited number of bursaries for those who would be unable to attend without financial assistance. Priority for bursaries will be given to those who have not attended a bereavement retreat weekend or support day before or who would otherwise be unable to attend without financial assistance.

If you wish to apply for financial help, please request a bursary application form at info@tcf.org.uk. Closing date for completed bursary applications is 11 July 2025.

CANCELLATIONS

If you need to cancel your place, please do so by 1 August 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

The Ammerdown Centre is located 12 miles from Bath, easy to access by car and with ample free car parking on site.

From Bath railway station, there is a regular bus service to Radstock. Taxis can be booked from Bath Spa station to take you direct to Ammerdown.

The venue is a retreat centre nestling in woods next to a stately home, surrounded by beautiful, landscaped gardens and parkland.

The rooms at Ammerdown are simple but very comfortable, and all have en-suite facilities. The home-cooked food is of a high quality.

There is a licensed bar on site (at additional cost).

Although Ammerdown is a Christian Centre, it is open to people of all faiths and none. TCF is a secular organisation, and our supportive weekend will have no religious content.

We are simply using Ammerdown as a venue to meet as it is a peaceful and welcoming place.  For more information about the Ammerdown Centre please click here

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If your loss was less than 12 months ago or more than 10 years ago, please contact our Helpline Team on 0345 123 2304 who will be able to give you information about other layers of support available to you through our charity.

Feeling unsure?

If you would like to talk through anything about the weekend or need further information, please contact Beth or Sharon, our Events Team by emailing  events@tcf.org.uk or by phone on 0345 120 3785.

PLEASE BOOK HERE