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Breaks in SW France for bereaved parents

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 relationship with Jack and Margaret Reckitt who have a holiday and retreats business, Manoir Mouret, in South West France.

Margaret is a bereaved sibling - she lost her brother when she was in her 20s. In 2024 Jack and Margaret are offering TCF three weeks for TCF members to have a break, at no charge for the accommodation.

Over the last two years, several groups of TCF members have 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 at the link 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'. Some optional activities are available for those who would like to take part such as a yoga session and a shared pizza making evening.

In 2024 the three TCF weeks at Manoir Mouret will include one week during the school holidays for families with school age children and two for adults only.

Family Week –3 to 10 August 2024.  There are still places available for the family week suitable for one larger family or two friends who have school age children and are happy to share once property. 

This 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. We had the first Family Week at Mouret last year. 4 families came with children ranging in age from 6 months to 16. The feedback from the week has been very positive.

Parents Only Weeks – 29 June to 6 July 2024 and 21 to 28 September 2024 BOTH WEEKS NOW FULLY BOOKED

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 2024. You can find this at https://www.manoirmouretretreats.com/tcf2024