TCF News, Autumn 2021

Autumn 2021 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 4 Countryside Walk on 31st July “Somehow being in the open air, and knowing we were literally amongst friends, broke the ice quickly”. Walking in the countryside is recognised as good for mental health and has been very important to us ever since our daughter Rebecca’s death in 2012. David appreciated two walks for bereaved dads arranged by another charity. So on June 6th we were keen to join Terry Ahern’s excellent online presentation on his experience organising informal walks for bereaved parents in London, and were greatly encouraged by his clear and positive words. The Q&A time clarified our thoughts a good deal, and we were soon making our plans for a walk in the northern Welsh Marches at the end of July. On the day eleven people joined us, meeting in Chirk village for a morning ramble in the grounds of Chirk Castle. Somehow being in the open air, and knowing we were literally amongst friends, broke the ice quickly. Two walkers already knew each other from a TCF gathering. Some were quite new to TCF. Our bereavements ranged from under a year to over 20. Having lunch back at the starting point made it possible for some to leave after eating or to stay in a village cafe, while a hardy six walked across the canal aqueduct for a taste of the Ceiriog Valley. On returning we found the others still at the cafe, and we spent a further hour together. Everyone said the day had been well worthwhile to them. Those most recently bereaved saw that others were coping, while some people realised they had made more progress than they had thought. We were so pleased with the way things went that we have just returned from scouting out possible routes for another day! By Fiona and David Chamberlin The next event led by David and Fiona will be a semi-urban walk along Shrewsbury Severnside. 18 September 2021, 10am – 4pm - Meeting in car park near Shrewsbury Abbey. All bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents are invited to join David and Fiona for a day walking and talking beside the river Severn in the ancient county town of Shrewsbury. For more details and to register visit tcf.org.uk/shrewsburywalk