TCF News, Spring 2023

Spring 2023 - TCF Newsletter | tcf.org.uk 10 As we look ahead to Spring and to better weather, TCF volunteers will be offering organised, led walks in many parts of the Country. A limited number are taking place soon but the frequency will increase as the weather improves. Our walks have grown in popularity and now provide support to complement the more established help offered already by our wonderful charity. Joining a TCF walk can be an easier step to take towards comfort and support; perhaps less daunting than being in a room face to face with other bereaved parents and siblings. During a walk, many find it less difficult to talk about deeply personal matters shoulder to shoulder, rather than face to face in a room. If you’re a dad, brother or grandfather especially, I would encourage you to give one of our walks a try. If you’re a partner or sister, again, it may help the men in your family to make them aware of our walks. I say this through my own experience and first contact with TCF. For any bereaved parent or sibling who is feeling apprehensive about reaching out for support, a walk with others who have suffered a similar loss and who understand, might well be a good first step. Literally! TCF will publicise the walks on the website as they become available through our various channels to give everyone the opportunity to join our walking community. London walks I’m very much looking forward to restarting the London walks this Spring. I plan to start on Saturday 22nd April then continue every four weeks or so until the Autumn. As in previous years, the walks will follow our tried and tested format, meeting at 11am at a mainline railway station then finish around 4pm to give those living outside London the opportunity to come along. We will see some famous landmarks but also some less well-know, hidden gems which I’ve discovered and will share with you. The opening of the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) now gives us the opportunity to quickly reach parts of the Capital previously difficult for us to access, for example, Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs; both fascinating. The first walk, as previously mentioned, on Saturday 22nd April, will be to Richmond, specifically to visit the amazing Isabella Plantation. In my view, this is the best time to go there, when many of the plants, especially azaleas & rhododendron are in full bloom. To be surrounded by the beauty of nature, the Plantation awash with colour, is magical and healing. This walk was our first of 2022 and proved very popular. Richmond is only a short hop fromWaterloo with the option to join at either. Full details to be published soon! The second walk will be on 20th May in Central London. I’m putting the finishing touches to this walk & it will be publicised through the various TCF channels including the website. This walk is brand new and will include some quirky features many will never have seen before so please save the date. Finally, to those who have joined a London walk before, I’m very much looking forward to seeing you again. Many of you I have known for six years and I count as my compassionate friends. For those who have never joined one of our walks before, or perhaps, any form of TCF support, please come along on 22nd April or 20th May if you can. You will find yourselves in what I call, “the best company”, where there are no awkward conversations. If you come on your own, you will soon find yourself welcomed by others in the group and find the support offered by our walking community. By Terry Ahern Why not join a TCF walk ?