Compassion, Spring 2024

29 tcf.org.uk The Archbishop in conversation T he first event was held at the University and the focus was on bereavement in all its forms. The guest speaker was Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. I believe that this was part of a tour in this area and he attended other events during the week. The event was organised by a retiring clergyman – Philip Sourbut - who was known to Annie, a TCF volunteer based in Exeter, and Annie was involved in the organisation of the day. They had met in a Cruse/Samaritan suicide group as his daughter had died by ending her life. Annie was one of the facilitators. He had organised the event as a parting gift as he was retiring from the church. The venue was full to capacity and there were many clergy in evidence. TCF had a stall in the foyer, next to Cruse and this was the first time that local volunteers from the two organisations that I am involved with met so that was interesting for me. There were several other local organisations present and one or two national ones like SOBS. Justin Welby was introduced and he gave the keynote speech describing his own bereavement which was still raw after many years. He described the shock and pain that he experienced after his daughter’s death. After this he went on to interview people who had experienced different types of death: one sibling, one child and one in the military. The first interviewee was Jane Harris and Jimmy Edmonds who showed their film about their son and answered questions. There was also an interview with a former chaplain in the army who was now a chaplain at a local prison. He described his experiences of bereavement in Afghanistan and the effect that this had on him as PTSD. Each interview was moving and different because of the varying circumstances. The volunteers that I knew from TCF and Cruse all felt that it was an afternoon well spent and we were pleased that we were all able to take part in such a memorable event. TCF NEWS | LOCAL NEWS - SUPPORTIVE EVENTS TCF meeting for bereaved parents The second event was a special one-off meeting for bereaved parents, held for three hours on a Saturday afternoon. TCF volunteer, Jancis, and myself had organised it as we felt that there was a need for parents to meet as the 2 support groups in Exeter and Paignton were no longer running. We were apprehensive about how the afternoon would go, however 30 individuals attended including 7 TCF volunteers who helped to stimulate discussion. Many people contributed and the parents that knew each other were able to support the people who had come alone. After a tea break Jancis led a discussion on dealing with Christmas. We hope to hold another meeting in this year, being heartened by the success of this one. Events in Exeter by Claire Phillips