S ee a web version of this email here
National UK Helpline 0345 123 2304 helpline@tcf.org.uk
Open every day (10 am - 4 pm and 7 -10 pm).
The line is always answered by a bereaved parent who is there to listen and support.
New ways of supporting you
NEW...Helpline Webchat

Our new Helpline online confidential chat service begins on Thursday 14 May, from 7 pm . Use the service to talk with one of our Helpline volunteer team to find support, understanding and information. The online chat is designed to help you express and manage your feelings around your grief when you feel like you need some support and understanding from another bereaved parent. For now, this pilot service is available every Monday from 1 - 4 pm and every Thursday 7 – 10 pm. 

The webchat service is in addition to our Helpline phone support on 0345 123 2304 which is open every day from 10 am – 4 pm and from 7 -10 pm.
How to use the online chat
Just click the blue banner at the foot of any page of our website.

Many of these groups do fill up quickly but we hope to run more in the coming weeks and months.

Please keep an eye on our website and also Facebook and Twitter posts for details of forthcoming groups.
Specialist Online Support Groups

Our fantastic volunteers have been working so hard to keep connected with you and many of our local support groups have now moved online or are staying connected in other ways.

We have also piloted a series of online specialist support groups including groups for bereaved fathers, parents bereaved of a baby or young child, bereaved siblings and parents bereaved by substance use. Future groups include for childless parents, those bereaved by suicide and parents who have lost a school age child.

Grieving the Death of our Child During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In this short leaflet we look at surviving the pain and grief caused by the death of a child from COVID-19, or from any other cause, and the support that TCF can offer.

Uniquely written by bereaved parents from the perspectives and experiences as bereaved parents.


Grieving during lockdown

We asked some Compassionate Friends' parents and sibling members to share how they have been coping during the lock down.

In these series of articles, we hope you will find some aspects you can relate to - to know you are not alone - and maybe discover some tips for yourself in managing this period of isolation.

"These pieces are so informative, encouraging, comforting..."

Thank you to all our contributors for allowing us to share their stories.


It seems that contact with family and friends will continue to be limited for the next while. If you have any suggestions and ideas about additional ways The Compassionate Friends can support our members during this time to please let us know by email . It is always helpful too to hear of poetry, books, prose or quotes that you are finding helpful and hopeful during this time which we can share with others. 
Stay in...and support TCF
Virtually The Best Quiz Ever (Almost) Friday 15 May, 8 pm

Bring together your family and friends to play this fun online quiz...with quiz master extraordinaire, Stephen - our amazing fundraiser! AND help us to raise vital funds for our support and services for bereaved families. Register to join our first ever online quiz night today! Just £12 per household and all proceeds go to support our charity.

2020 Movement for Good awards are giving £1000 to 100 charities.

Your nomination really counts. Particularly at this time, in the exceptional circumstances in which we now find ourselves, we have had to use additional resources to adapt our services. £1000 could really help us to continue to be there with understanding, support, comfort and above all hope for bereaved families.

Click ‘nominate now’ on the website and enter our details. Our charity number is 1082335. Thanks for your support!

The more nominations we get, the greater our chance of winning, so please spread the word.
Can you help?
Volunteers needed for suicide bereavement support

A re you bereaved of a son or daughter by suicide? Could you offer support, understanding and hope to others who have suffered the traumatic loss of child in this way?

We are looking for volunteers, who have been bereaved more than 3+ years or more, based anywhere in the UK to assist our National Coordinator for parents bereaved by suicide to offer initial peer support and understanding to parents. This may involve taking calls and answering emails from newly bereaved parents referred to you via our Helpline, as well as helping these parents to access TCF’s range of support services.

Seeking bereaved grandparent volunteers

Are you a bereaved grandparent? Could you offer support, understanding and hope to others who have suffered the loss of a grandchild or an adult son or daughter who has died leaving a grandchild or grandchildren ?

We are looking for grandparent volunteers who are at least two years past your own bereavement, a compassionate listener committed to helping others, with a non-judgmental approach, respectful of others’ circumstances, attitudes and beliefs

Please do get in touch at helpline@tcf.org.uk if you would like to explore taking a role in our volunteer grandparent team.

Find out more (scroll down the page!)

P.S - Just updated, our leaflet When Our Grandchild Dies . Download here .
Grief Companions play a vital role supporting parents in early bereavement

TCF's befrienders are playing an important role particularly during this time of physical isolation. Many newly bereaved parents are finding support and understanding through this one-to-one contact. A regular phone call, video call, or email or text contact from you to a parent in the first few months of their loss can make such a difference.

If you are more than 2/3 years bereaved, would you consider offering support as a volunteer Grief Companion, using your own experience and ways of coping to be alongside another more newly bereaved parent?

Conversations from the coffee shop: Clare's story

Clare lost her 7 year old daughter suddenly 2 years ago. In this honest, thoughtful and moving podcast Clare shares her experience of loss, dealing with her grief, how TCF has helped as well as how being present and in the moment with another person can help them.

Our National Office small staff team are all working from home. Contact us at info@tcf.org.uk or leave a message on our office phone on 0345 120 3785 and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Our Postal Library is offering a limited service during this time. Please contact Mary, our wonderful librarian, at library@tcf.org.uk to find out more.

For bereavement support contact our Helpline on 0345 123 2304 helpline@tcf.org.uk .
Please do keep in touch with us.
For more information on support and services for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents see our website at the buttons below.