Newsletter only child Spring 2023

TCF Newsletter | tcf.org.uk 9 I’d felt the unique comfort and support of other bereaved parents and I was able to offer this myself. I believe (and I have received lots of feedback to support this belief), that people, especially men, find it easier to talk about deeply personal matters, shoulder to shoulder rather than face to face. Talking and walking is less intense. Participants can talk to one person then move on to another or walk on their own if they wish. There’s lots to see and talk about, and the conversation isn’t confined to our grief. Fast forward to 2018. I had already led walks on several retreats by then and Maria suggested that I offer a walk in London for The Compassionate Friends. Again, I was unsure but thought I’d give it a go and see if anyone was interested. Yes, bereaved parents and siblings were interested, so I arranged walks every month or so throughout spring and summer. I found, by chance rather than by design, that we had found a winning formula. For many, a TCF walk has been their first contact with our wonderful charity. The balance of numbers between men and women is more even on a walk for the reasons I’ve mentioned earlier. There are no awkward conversations on our walks, we are all bereaved parents and siblings so everyone can feel comfortable. Newcomers, often hesitant, are quickly and quietly welcomed by regulars into our walking community. In 2021, a bereaved couple began offering walks in another part of the country, then last year, they and other wonderful volunteers have led walks across Great Britain from Scotland, the Welsh borders and south to Devon! As I prepare and look forward to a fifth year of London walks, one year being lost due to Lockdown, I’ve gained a lot from our walks. Everything I do is in James memory and has helped me deal with my grief. By Terry Ahern For details of upcoming walks in London and throughout the UK go to tcf.org.uk/walks