Compassion Autumn Winter 2023

26 tcf.org.uk I n September Trustee Alison Cramp represented TCF at a supper given by the Gauntlet Trust of the Worshipful Company of Armourers & Brasiers at the Company's Armourers' Hall. The Company have supported the work of The Compassionate Friends with a multi-year grant. Alison commented, “I felt it was a very successful evening. I spoke to so many people and members of the Armourers' Company and really spread the word about TCF. They were very interested and very moved that I was a bereaved mother too. They were very kind about the work the charity does. I sat next to Anne-Marie, the Chief Executive of the Gauntlet Trust, for dinner which was a bonus as we were really able to discuss TCF. I was also very interested in the history of the place, so it was lovely to network.  It was a great evening for me to network and meet the other small charities too”. TCF was back at Armourers' Hall this autumn as it was the venue for a support day for bereaved fathers. Has the TCF banner ever been in more glamorous surroundings? Armourers' Hall Suicide bereavement support Suicide Bereavement UK Conference I n Late September TCF took a stand at the one - day Suicide Bereavement UK Conference in Manchester. Volunteers and Marie, Alison and staff member, Sharon, represented TCF and shared information about the peer support we provide to parents, siblings and grandparents bereaved by suicide. Delegates at the conference included professionals involved in suicide bereavement support including police, counsellors, medical and mental health providers, academics, charity representatives - over 500 people working in the field. T he Compassionate Friends also joined more than 520 people at the ‘Time Together’ service St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square in London as part of World Suicide Prevention Week. The three themes of Rock (loss), Candle (valley of grief) and Rose (found) were addressed and this year attendees were invited to place a rock or rose on the altar or light a votive candle to signify their journey towards healing. After the service our volunteers Marie and Maggie shared details of TCF's peer support for parents and siblings bereaved by suicide. TCF NEWS | FEATURE : TCF AT ARMOURERS' HALL & SUICIDE BEREAVMENT SUPPORT Time Together