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2023 breaks for bereaved parents in France

One of the most difficult things for us to do after the death of a son or daughter is to go away on holiday...having to see all those 'complete' families can be just unbearable. So in 2022, The Compassionate Friends (TCF) were very pleased to form a new relationship with Jack and Margaret Reckitt who have a holiday and retreats business, Manoir Mouret, in South West France. In 2023 they are offering TCF three weeks for Compassionate Friends members to have a break, at no charge.

In August 2022 our first group of TCF members spent a week at Manoir Mouret and experienced not only the peaceful rural property itself but also the companionship of being in a safe supportive space with other bereaved parents. Some of the parents have kindly shared their thoughts about their break, TCF Parents Feedback (go to Section 5 to read the feedback)

During each TCF week the only guests at Manoir Mouret are TCF members. You can talk together and share your stories if you want or keep more private if you wish. The weeks are not TCF run events and no TCF volunteers or staff will be there in that capacity - but you will know you are among others who 'get it'.

In 2023 the three TCF weeks at Manoir Mouret will be one week during the school holidays for families with school age children and two for adults only.

Family Week –29 July to 5 August 2023

The week of 29 July to 5 August 2023 will be our first TCF family week at Mouret. It is for TCF families with at least 1 school aged child (18 and under).

Manoir Mouret is made up of 4 individual self-catering properties of different sizes, (sleeping from 4 people to 10 people) so up to 4 families will have their own private holiday home for the week but share outside spaces such as the pool, tennis court and gardens with the other TCF families.

Parents Only Weeks – 3-10 June 2023 & 23-30 September 2023

3-10 June and 23-30 September will be weeks for parents. There will be no children staying at Manoir Mouret during these weeks and only bereaved parents will be there.

Please note that for the adult weeks it is ok to go on your own or you might prefer to go with others - perhaps one other or a few parents from a TCF support group or you might have met others at a retreat weekend or support day...you could share one of the gites perhaps or the main house and maybe organise your travel together.

We have put some information together with Jack and Margaret which will hopefully answer some questions you may have including what to do next if you are interested in learning more and/or staying at Mouret in 2023. You can find this at www.manoirmouretretreats.com/tcf2023.

There is also some information in our charity's newsletter, TCF News Winter 2022 edition.