TCF News Spring 2022

Spring 2022 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 2 News and Comment from around our charity Introducing... Claire Coveney Claire joined the Board of TCF as a co-opted trustee in January 2022, where she hopes to use her experience of digital marketing, communications and membership to help our charity to grow and develop. Here she explains a little bit about her background and what brought her to TCF. My big brother and best friend Adrian (Aidy) died suddenly in May 2016, a few days before his 38th birthday. He was married with a 5 year old son. He was my only sibling, and with our father having passed away in 2007, my mother and nephew became my primary concern. I initially contacted TCF to find support for my mother, but discovering that they also offered help for bereaved siblings (SIBBS) was a game-changer. I no longer felt so alone in my grief. In 2018 I started volunteering for TCF by helping to edit and draft the charity’s supportive leaflets. I have over 15 years’ experience in communications, working in press and marketing for institutions such as the British Museum, and Arts Council England, and more recently as Head of Membership at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. I am honoured to have been co-opted as a Trustee and hope that my skills will help increase awareness of the wonderful work TCF does for bereaved parents and siblings. Suzanne Cannon Suzanne joined the TCF staff team in January 2022 as part-time Grief Companion Scheme Administrator. She works with Shirley Gower, the Coordinator of the Scheme, to match newly bereaved parents with a volunteer who provides regular support over a period of 6-12 months. Here Suzanne tells us a little about herself. I became a member of TCF shortly after the sudden death of my 22 year old daughter Rebecca in 2014. I immediately joined a wonderful local support group and over the years have attended many supportive retreats; TCF has been such a lifeline for me. In 2020 I felt ready to volunteer as a Grief Companion and in 2021 I trained as a co-facilitator of our group as I wanted to offer my support, compassion and understanding to other bereaved parents. I have worked for 19 years in administration and regard myself as an organised, efficient and motivated person. I am hoping to utilise the skills and experiences from my previous role and look forward to working with the team and supporting the valuable work of the Grief Companion Scheme. I live near Dorking in Surrey with my partner. My son, daughter-in-law and grandson live nearby. I enjoy Pilates, cycling, long walks and exploring this beautiful country in our motorhome as I feel nature plays an important part in coping with grief. Suzanne can be contacted at griefcompanions@tcf.org.uk