TCF News, Summer 2022

Summer 2022 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 3 Anne Bray is a local and group support contact in Cornwall and also a grief companion. Anne volunteered at the weekend for the newly bereaved at the Ammerdown Centre in Bath in February 2022 and she kindly agreed to share her feedback on the weekend – this time as a volunteer supporting others. In the first couple of years after my daughter Jess died I found my way to 3 TCF weekend retreats. Each one was so helpful in living with my loss that I took steps to be more involved and became a volunteer because I've found such wonderful support; because I know I'm among friends who understand and because I want to give back, to support others, especially those who are recently bereaved. Last year, when it looked as though weekend retreats could resume, I responded to the request for volunteers and in February I headed to Ammerdown again, this time as one of the team. Everyone had been kept very well informed of what to expect before arrival, and it seemed to me that the whole event was as well planned and carefully organised as it possibly could be. The venue is welcoming, comfortable, peaceful and meets our needs very well. The food is excellent too. The schedule for retreat weekends has been tried and tested over several years. There are sessions for everyone together and in small groups. The programme is full, but not rushed. There's space for informal conversations and time for creative and restorative activities too. The atmosphere is thoroughly supportive and positive, everyone is made to feel as comfortable as they can, and to participate in ways that are best for them. There is no judgement, everyone is accepted as they are, no-one is left alone unless they wish to be. I remember sitting in the lounge with a parent on Saturday morning. She told me about her son who had died recently. It was a deep, open conversation, rich in thoughts and memories that would be unlikely to be said in any other context. We held hands as she shared her story, and we parted with a smile. During a weekend like this friendships are made, people find they have connections, they exchange contact details and stay in touch in the coming months.