Bursaries for bereaved parents at weekend retreats

Aim

To ensure that all bereaved parents who wish to can attend our weekend retreats and bereavement support days regardless of financial status

We will use funding to provide bursaries to those bereaved parents wishing to attend a weekend retreat for bereaved parents, but who are unable to afford to contribute to the costs of accommodation. We have a series of seven weekend retreats throughout the year. They take place around the UK and comprise:

• Scottish Gathering - in Stirling for all bereaved parents in Scotland and the north of England
• National Gathering - in Northamptonshire for parents bereaved three years or more
• Retreat for parents in early bereavement - in Somerset for all parents bereaved for less than three years
• Retreat for parents bereaved by suicide and substance/alcohol use - in Birmingham. Two each year.
• Retreat for parents who have lost their only child or all their children - in Oxfordshire
• Retreat for bereaved adult siblings, sometimes called the forgotten bereaved - in Birmingham

We usually ask parents and siblings to contribute towards the costs of their own accommodation at these weekends. Where people are unable to contribute, we provide bursaries. However, in light of the cost-of-living crisis, we are seeing an increase in requests for bursaries, and anticipate requests increasing still further. We wish as many bereaved parents and siblings to attend these supportive retreats regardless of their financial and employment status.

These weekend retreats provide safe places where parents and siblings can speak about their children and express their true feelings knowing that they will gain the compassion, understanding, empathy, friendship, support, and hope that only other bereaved parents and siblings can give.

Being together with others who have also experienced the pain of losing a much-loved son or daughter can give parents the hope that the feelings they have are shared. Parents do not have to pretend or cope on their own. For a couple of days, they can travel their paths together, perhaps with others they have met before, while also making firm friends with whom they can keep in touch after the weekend.  

 There will be a range of supportive and creative activities for parents to participate in if they so wish.  All activities are optional. Should parents wish to spend their weekends chatting, enjoying the venues' facilities or having quiet times on their own, they can. Nothing is expected. Activities include: 

• Discussion groups 

• Art, therapies and writing workshops 

• Walking in the countryside 

• Sharing sessions and discussion groups 

• A remembrance and candle lighting event 

• A room where photographs and memories of parents’ children can be displayed. 

 Bereaved parents who have attended previous retreats have left these comments: 

 "A lovely weekend spent focusing on all of our beautiful, amazing children..." 

"I leave so incredibly nurtured and supported and feeling just that bit stronger and better able to keep going."

"The minute I arrive, I feel like I am entering a different place, where I can say Edward's name over and over again... just an amazing feeling that I hold on to until the next time." 

This project successfully funded on 10th February 2023