TCF News Autumn 2022

Autumn 2022 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 4 newly bereaved and, from time to time arrange a social event for everyone. Then Covid struck! Not only that, but a number of our older members who had played key roles within the group sadly passed away very suddenly, and the plans we had to continue had to be severely re-thought, including our own role taking a back seat. As we look back over the years we shall be forever grateful for the fun, friendship and camaraderie which has grown over our many years supporting TCF. Nationally the charity has gone from strength to strength in offering a wider range of support in so many ways – for example, through its Grief Companions initiative; its ever growing library of helpful leaflets; regular zoom meetings for Contacts to share their experiences and learn from each other; retreats for those bereaved in a similar manner; improved communication through regular newsletters and of course the long established publication “Compassion”. As for us in the Kettering area we are now arranging small support meetings for those in their very early stages of grief following their loss – effectively going back to our original roots in TCF, but hoping that from these new families there may be someone prepared to take on our role and re-establish our Kettering Area Support Group. Whatever the future holds for us, we shall be forever grateful for the part we have been able to play in bringing support and comfort to more than the 200 plus families that we have tried to help over the past 30 years. by Adrian and Carol Keach Welcome to Jo Kitterick Jo joined the TCF staff team in mid-August in the new role of Volunteer and Helpline Assistant, working with Ruth Mercier, our Volunteer and Helpline Manager. She will be providing administrative and other support to our helpline, local contacts and local support group facilitators. Jo will be working part time, from her home office. We are delighted to warmly welcome Jo to the team. Here she introduces herself to you. I first came across TCF after the sudden death of our two-year-old daughter Lily in June 2010. I was handed a TCF information booklet in the hospital just hours after she had died and reading through this provided me with much needed hope and comfort in the early days and months that followed. Since that moment, I have held TCF close to my heart, often accessing the online support that is available. In 2021 I joined as a National Helpline Volunteer and in August 2022 I was honoured to join the staff team as the Volunteer and Helpline Assistant. I have a degree in Sociology, and I hope the combination of my administration, marketing and recruitment background alongside the heartfelt empathy I have for all bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents helps to provide an efficient and caring support service. I work on a part-time basis from home where I live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire with my husband, two younger daughters and our most recent addition, a Labrador Retriever named Arthur. I enjoy helping people and spent a two-year period as a Listening Volunteer for The Samaritans. I mostly love spending time with family and friends, walking, running, yoga, good food, good books, travel, films, dance and theatre. I find peace in nature and solace in finding creative ways to remember our precious girl, Lily. News and Comment from around our charity