Supportive Weekend Retreat for Parents in Early Bereavement

16 May 2025, 16.00 – 18 May 2025, 14.00

Ammerdown Centre, Nr. Bath

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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 be aware that we will be giving priority to those who have not attended one of our weekend retreats previously. 

Please note that we ask you to be at least 6 months bereaved before attending a retreat weekend or support day. 

(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).

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 and years of this raw and overwhelming grief for our child.

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

“We had no idea what to expect at the weekend, but it was such a powerful experience meeting everyone else who has had the same terrible outcome as us and talking completely freely. I would recommend it to anyone when they feel ready.”

“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. Being able to use this language and terms which are often taboo in normal social circles was really quite a bonding opportunity for us all.”

“It felt as if it had a personal touch and was a genuine welcome from TCF...It made me feel comfortable and at ease and due to this I knew that the weekend was going to be manageable for me.”

“I felt as if Ammerdown was giving me a loving embrace and in being held in this way it enabled me to cope and participate in the supportive benefits offered to me by The Compassionate friends.”

“Everyone shows empathy to each other and helps one another with moments of the deepest emotional pain a parent can ever feel. The programme is so supportive, and information packs provide links to further help, reading materials, and the friendship cards enable you to keep in touch with your new compassionate friends. I think the retreat speaks volumes in the fact that we arrived on Friday feeling nervous and apprehensive at what lay ahead. By Sunday we were feeling so much lighter as we’d shared our stories, made new friends and found hope.”

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.

(Please note that there are no more double rooms available to book for this retreat, however we do have a number of twin rooms and single rooms still available.) 

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 are newly bereaved or have not attended an early bereavement retreat weekend or support day before.

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 28 March 2025.

CANCELLATIONS

If you need to cancel your place, please do so by 18 April 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 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 tranquility. No traffic noise, only birdsong!

As it is a retreat centre and not a hotel, rooms are simple but very comfortable, and all rooms have en-suite facilities. The staff are dedicated to making us warmly welcome, and the home-cooked food is of a high quality.

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

(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).

Read more about The Ammerdown Centre.

GETTING THERE

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

From Bath railway station, there is a regular bus service to Radstock. Our volunteers will try to pick you up from Radstock, or a taxi can be booked in advance to take you to Ammerdown which is just 1.5 miles away. 

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If your loss is within the last 6 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 parent volunteers. Our volunteers are not professionals and so what we offer is a uniquely warm, comforting and supportive retreat 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.

Feeling unsure?

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

PLEASE BOOK HERE