Latest news
Trustees wanted!
Jun 26: Do you have passion, skills and expertise that could help The Compassionate Friends (TCF) to continue to develop? The voluntary role of Trustee with our charity is both rewarding and fulfilling. Our current Trustees invite interested applicants who are at least 3 years past their bereavement to apply to serve on the Trustee Board by standing for election.
Breaks for bereaved parents in France
Jun 5: The Compassionate Friends is building a new relationship to provide bereaved parents an opportunity to have a break in France. Our first week will be from 27 August to 3 September 2022. Tap here to find out more.
Scottish Gathering returns
May 15: "It was my first TCF gathering. I made the right decision to meet our compassionate friends. Everyone is so kind, supportive, I’m ever so grateful for the comfort and support on this painful journey".
Amazing weekend...exactly what I needed
May 11: "I spent last weekend with The Compassionate Friends for a bereaved siblings' retreat...It lasted 24h but the deep bonds formed within that short space of time meant it felt like I'd been there weeks. I can't wait for the next one".
Thank you to all our incredible fundraisers of 2021!
Mar 31: The Compassionate Friends wishes to thank everyone who supported our work this year, including those who made donations, who raised funds in memory of their child or sibling, and who celebrated their birthday via Facebook.
New support day in Glasgow
Mar 14: "On Saturday 5 March, 2022, I spent the day with a roomful of strangers, but we all had one thing in common. We were parents who had lost a child to suicide or substance use. I was nervous as I drove to the event and had all these thoughts going round in my head..."
Finally back at a weekend retreat
Mar 9: In February 2022, we ran our first weekend retreat for bereaved parents for 2 years. The pandemic meant that we were not able to run any supportive weekends - it was absolutely brilliant to get back to supporting in person again.
TCF walks are back!
Jan 25: We’ve turned the corner of this winter but still have a little way to go. As we look forward to Spring, TCF will be organising a series of monthly walks through to the Autumn.
Join our staff team
Nov 9: Our charity is looking for two wonderful people to help us in our national office, based in Kilburn, London NW6. Come and join our small, but growing, and hugely dedicated staff team.
One man cycling!
Oct 31: On 28 September 2021, 4 years after the death of his son Stevie, Gary Goodwin set off on his epic challenge - to cycle the length of the United Kingdom.
Back in person - bereavement support days
Oct 5: "I would recommend giving a day away with TCF a try, it’s last place you want to be, right? Yes and no, it’s the best place to be if you’re a bereaved parent".
We are hiring!
May 27: Find out more about an exciting opportunity to join our small team as our new Events & Community Fundraiser - and make a real difference to the growth of The Compassionate Friends.
Bearing The Unbearable with Dr Joanne Cacciatore
May 8: Join bereaved mother and traumatic grief expert, Dr Joanne Cacciatore, as she shares her reflections on love, loss and the heartbreaking path of grief after the death of a child.
Upright With Knickers On
Mar 17: Three bereaved mums - Kelly, Anne and Jill; three dads - Terry, Andrew and Graham; and a bereaved sibling - Rachael, spoke movingly and with huge courage and honesty about what has helped them survive and find meaning and hope again after the death of their child or sibling.
My Champion, Me - Let's Talk Self-compassion with Sangeeta Mahajan
Feb 18: Dr Sangeeta Majahan lost her only son to suicide over 6 years ago. In her second online talk for TCF she shares with us her reflections around the themes of loss, grief and self-compassion.
Legacies from Grief
Jan 27: A new book has just been published with contributions from many members of The Compassionate Friends, offering hope to bereaved families after the death of a child.
YouTube Channel launched
Jan 7: The Compassionate Friends UK have a YouTube channel! You can view, watch and listen again to our autumn series of talks, a beautiful December candle lighting event, our short film, Say Their Name, and much more.
UK Worldwide Candle Lighting 2020
Dec 15: The Compassionate Friends, UK Worldwide Candle Lighting on 13 December 2020 is available to view on YouTube on The Compassionate Friends UK channel.
2020 Book of Remembrance
Dec 8: Throughout December, you can post a message of remembrance in our 2020 Book for your son or daughter, brother or sister, or grandchild. You can also include a photograph with your message if you wish.
Hope of finding the mourning light through the mist of grief
Nov 13: Andrea Corrie, author of Into The Mourning Light, and also Living In The Mourning Light, spoke to a full house at a gathering of bereaved parents online on the evening of the 11th of November 2020.
Grenades and Guillotines with Cathy Rentzenbrink
Oct 16: Listen to author Cathy Rentzenbrink speak movingly and with huge honesty about the unpredictability of grief and the impact the early loss of her brother Matty had on her life and her family.
A Good Mourning
Sep 4: Join Maria Ahern for her wise, honest, moving and inspiring words as she shares her personal perspectives and reflections since the loss of her only child, her son James, and how she has found ways to have a 'good mourning'
Trustee Election 2020
Aug 12
Personal Reflections on Finding Meaning
Aug 6: There were so many beautiful thoughts in Sangeeta’s presentation, that I would recommend you seek out the video recording and let them all wash over you. The reactions from the watching audience were coming in waves as each person responded individually to an image or thought that resonated with them personally.
Finding Meaning After Loss
Jul 13
Compassion magazine - now in new flipping book format!
Jun 10
Grieving in isolation - stories from bereaved parents and siblings
May 10
Join us...one-off specialist virtual support groups.
Apr 28
Staying connected - update
Mar 17
Thoughts from our new Chair of Trustees
Mar 6
New Derbyshire bereavement support day
Feb 25
‘We keep him close, always’: how I survived the loss of my teenage son'
Jan 18
Sharing Grief, Finding Hope at 50th Anniversary
Nov 15
Impact Report Just Published
Nov 9
Launch of online newsletter for bereaved siblings
Sep 5
Remembering our Child – NEW leaflet and handbook just published
Sep 2
New advice published for professionals supporting bereaved parents and families
Sep 1
Just published...50th Anniversary commemorative edition of Compassion
Jun 16
Death of Joan Henderson, founder parent of The Compassionate Friends
Jun 4
"I've found a community where I can truly open up"
May 24
Scottish Gathering "emotional but there's lots of laughter too..."
May 10
Join us for Tea & Cake at Fifty
Feb 28
NEW - stunning butterfly design cards for any occasion
Feb 22
Booking opens for 50th Anniversary Gathering
Jan 23: Join us for this very special weekend of support, understanding and friendship
Book of Remembrance
Dec 19
Thoughts from the Chair of TCF as we approach Christmas
Nov 29
Fundraising concert a huge success
Oct 23
Singer George Shelley finds comfort at TCF retreat
Oct 3
New leaflets for bereaved parents and families
Aug 6
“The wound is where the light enters you”. Third supportive weekend for parents bereaved by suicide or substance use
Jul 12
Summer 2018 publications - now out
Jun 11
Memorial garden unveiled at Scottish Gathering
May 1
"I couldn’t imagine feeling joy like I feel today..."
Apr 23
"I did the unthinkable..." Overnight retreat for bereaved siblings
Apr 23
"If you've not been to one of these events, please go, you won't regret it".
Apr 4
Spring 2018 editions of TCF publications - out now
Mar 12
New private Facebook for parents who have suffered loss of a baby, toddler or pre-school child
Feb 13
New fact sheets - making a complaint to or about the NHS
Dec 18
Worldwide Candle Lighting 2017 - love, light and remembrance
Dec 6
Gathering in Northamptonshire 'bursting with positive'.
Nov 14
Would you like a grief companion/befriender?
Oct 22
At the end of the day I felt 'lighter'...support day in Hampshire
Sep 17
Could you be a TCF Trustee?
Aug 2
"I didn't want to leave. We could've stayed all week!!"
Jul 26
We're moving!
Jul 19
Stories of grief, hope and resilience in feature documentary
Jul 12
Royal mourners attend funeral of TCF President and Patron Countess Mountbatten
Jun 28
Death announced of Countess Mountbatten, passionate supporter of The Compassionate Friends
Jun 15
Charity place available in 2018 London Marathon
Jun 9
"Wonderful memories of a beautiful weekend filled with warmth, laughter and hope".
May 18
Supportive weekend for adult bereaved siblings
Apr 17
Spring editions of our publications - out now.
Mar 20
Help our charity to improve and develop
Jan 26
Making connections, finding support - retreat weekend January 2017
Jan 17
New private Facebook group for bereaved dads
Dec 13
Winter 2016/7 editions of our publications - out now.
Dec 10
Worldwide Candle Lighting 2016
Dec 4
Packed AGM spellbound by author of The Sad Book
Nov 7
A powerful, searingly honest account of loss at this year's National Gathering
Oct 10
Trustee Election Update
Sep 29
Stunning new look for TCF publications
Sep 20
We are recruiting!
Sep 14: Advert for Volunteer Coordinator role.
Notice of Trustee Election
Aug 10: Trustee election notice and nomination form
A message from the TCF Trustees
Jul 28: Message from TCF Trustees - new CEO, two new positions to be recruited, office move
New 3 day retreat offers parents support and comfort
Jul 21: Feedback from retreat for parents bereaved by suicide, addiction or substance use.
New range of TCF merchandise launched
Jun 29: New range of TCF merchandise launched
Sad news of the death Joe Lawley
Jun 13: The death of Joe Lawley, one of the Founder parents of TCF.
London Marathon runner presents cheque
Jun 13: London Marathon runner, Marcus Hunt, presents cheque to The Compassionate Friends.
Bookings for our supportive National Gathering are now open …
Jun 8: 'Continuing Love – Regaining Hope' is the theme for the National Gathering in Northampton from 7th-9th October.
Loss of a Child – New UK Facebook page
Mar 13: The Compassionate Friends UK has a new private Facebook group for any parent whose son or daughter has died at any age, and from any cause.
New Retreat for parents bereaved by suicide, addiction or substance use
Feb 9
Election result
Feb 3
‘I returned with a heightened sense of freedom – permission to grieve as I need.’
Jan 11
Support our work
Each year thousands of parents suffer the loss of a son or a daughter. Please help us to support families in their time of greatest need.
