26 July 2024, 16.00 – 28 July 2024, 12.30

Hinsley Hall, Leeds

Booking for this retreat is now closed. If you would like to be added to the waiting list for a place please contact us.

We are sorry but if your loss is within the last 3-4 months, we think it would be best to wait a little longer before accessing our retreat weekend. We hope that you will be able to access our in-person support in future months. In the meantime, we ask you to contact our Helpline on 0345 1232304 to talk with another bereaved parent and for support and empathy.

Please note priority for bursaries will be for newly bereaved parents and for those who have not accessed TCF support or a retreat weekend/support day before.

About the weekend

This is a unique opportunity to come and meet with others who understand the pain of the loss of a beloved son or daughter to suicide or to substance use. Here you can immerse yourself in the comfort and warmth of a dedicated team of bereaved parent supporters.

The weekend will be a mixture of sharing sessions and activities which you are free to participate in as much, or as little, as you wish. Most of all, this is an opportunity to spend a few days away with people who truly understand what it means to be a parent bereaved in these particularly difficult ways.

The weekend will run from 5pm on Friday July 26th. Tea, coffee and cake will be available from 4pm on Friday afternoon with dinner at 7pm.and finish after lunch on Sunday July 28th at around 2pm.

Check in is from 3pm on Friday July 26th. Check out is by 11am on July 28th.

What others said about a previous retreat:

"It was a wonderful safe space where we could all just be ourselves without our masks."

"A wonderful weekend ... meeting so many people who have all been so kind and supportive. A place where there is no need to explain, or justify one's existence. A place just to be, to speak a very familiar language and to be understood, to make new friends, to be loved and to love in return."

"A great men's group. Thank you all so much, my first retreat, and definitely not my last. Thank you to everyone at TCF making this such a special time of affirmation, love and celebration of our children's lives. We have been cared for so well."

"I am so glad I came. It's been emotionally so tough but I have learned here that facing and feeling those emotions is so important - and this has been a wonderful safe, caring space to do that."

"Everyone is so kind and caring; I sensed an immediate bond as a group as a whole, coming together with our shared pain and love and comfort for each other – it’s not something I have experienced anywhere else – it’s an amazing thing."

"I have felt so safe and supported and I have found new ways of expression."

"My experience lived up to what I have heard when I first posted asking about this retreat. I have never cried so much in one weekend and equally I have never laughed so much!"

About the venue

You can find directions to Hinsley Hall here 

Although this retreat will be held in a Catholic centre, please note that it is not a religious event. The Compassionate Friends has no religious affiliation, and we welcome parents from all faith backgrounds and none.

How can you book?

The cost is £295 per person. (Please see details of bursaries available below. We encourage you to apply for financial assistance if this would help you to attend the weekend).

The price includes full board in a private en-suite single or double bedroom from Friday afternoon tea through to Sunday lunch.

Full payment is required at time of booking. (If this causes you a problem, please get in touch and we will try hard to be flexible).

Places are limited, so please book early. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PARENTS WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED A RETREAT WEEKEND BEFORE.

Bursary Fund

Please note that bursaries are open to all if money is tight just now. We very much encourage you to apply for bursaries as we have funds specifically donated to our charity to help parents to attend our supportive events.

There are some limited bursaries available to fund part or all of the costs of the weekend to those experiencing financial hardship. If you would like to apply for financial assistance please ask us for a bursary application form on 0345 120 3785 or info@tcf.org.uk. Closing date for bursary applications is 1st June 2024. 

Unfortunately, TCF is unable to cover travel costs.

Also, if you feel able to contribute towards our bursary fund, thereby enabling others with limited financial means to attend the retreat, please add your contribution to the Fund to your payment. Our warmest thanks for enabling our charity to support others.

Should you need to cancel your booking please do so by 8th June 2024 and we will refund your payment, less a £25 admin fee per person. After this date, we are sorry but our charity is unable to offer any refunds.

Feeling unsure?

If you are wondering whether this retreat is for you, are feeling unsure about any aspect, or would like to talk through anything about the retreat, please do feel free to contact the Helpline on 0345 123 2304 and someone will call you back.

Please note that our weekend retreats are run by bereaved parent volunteers. Our volunteers are not professionals and so what we offer is a uniquely warm, comforting and supportive two days organised and facilitated by parents who have also experienced the loss of a child, and have found understanding and hope themselves through The Compassionate Friends.