Open every day (from 10 am - 4 pm and 7 -10 pm).
The line is always answered by a bereaved parent who is there to listen and support.
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Finding the Mourning Light |
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With guest speaker: Andrea Corrie
Wednesday 11 November, 7 - 8.15 pm
Online via Zoom
Join Andrea as she speaks about her own journey after the death of her son James, her grief 'toolbox' and how she found glimpses of the 'mourning light'.
"The aim of my talk is to give hope to others who find themselves in the uncharted territory of grief. I can affirm that, in time, it is possible for you to find a return to joyful, meaningful living, despite the absence of your loved ones. Whatever the circumstances of your loss, there is always a glimmer of light displacing the darkness and I will share my observations on ways to find it".
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“There is a life out there for you”.
Over 130 bereaved parents and siblings joined us online last month to hear 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.
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Coping with the winter holidays |
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Suggestions and ideas for coping with Christmas and the winter holiday period for bereaved parents and their families
The winter holiday period will be different this year, but we hope that some of the ideas in this short booklet - Coping with Christmas - will help you and support you as you contemplate these early winter months including December - whether this is your first Christmas without your precious son or daughter, brother or sister, or grandchild or you are further on in your loss.
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Join us for the
24th Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting
on Sunday 13th December.
Gather together online via Zoom from 6.30 pm for a 6.40 pm start.
Candles lit at 7 pm
This year, as lockdowns and restrictions continue throughout the country, we warmly invite you to join us in a special online event where we will share some words and light candles together to honour and remember all our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and grandchildren who left too soon.
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NEW- Stunning high quality Christmas cards
Painted especially for The Compassionate Friends by Clare in memory of her daughter, Annaliese.
If you are sending cards this year please do think about sending ours - not only is it a great fundraiser for us, but sending these cards also raises awareness of our charity and the peer-to-peer support we can offer. Thank you.
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Please note that due to the new lockdown restrictions in November there will be delays in posting orders to you. Please order early to be sure of receiving your cards in good time. |
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Join the TCF staff Team
We are looking for two
Volunteer Coordinators
Scotland & Northern Ireland
Northern England
These are both part-time salaried positions.
Our charity is growing and we are looking for two outstanding additional members of staff to support our wonderful volunteers in Scotland & Northern Ireland and in Northern England.
As well as supporting existing volunteers, these exciting new roles also include developing peer support services in these regions and an ability to recruit, train and inspire new volunteers from our charity membership base and beyond.
Closing date for applications: 30 November 2020
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Online support groups in November and December |
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Parents bereaved by cancer or long term illness
18 November, 7 pm
Parents bereaved of an older adult child (35 years+)
25 November, 2 pm
Parents bereaved of a school age child (4-16 years)
25 November, 7 pm
Parents bereaved by road traffic incident
26 November, 7 pm
Loss of a baby, toddler or very young child
1 December, 2 pm
Loss of only child or children
2 December, 7 pm
Men's group for bereaved fathers
9 December, 7 pm
Parents bereaved by substance use or alcohol
10 December, 7 pm
Support group for bereaved siblings
15 December, 7 pm
Parents bereaved by suicide
16 December, 7 pm
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Help us to support
2-8 December 2020
This annual event aims to break the taboo, normalise grief and get people talking about this typically uncomfortable subject on a national platform. The week is driven by The Good Grief Trust, an umbrella organisation with the vision that anyone in the UK suffering a bereavement be offered tailored support.
The message this year is #SHAREYOURSTORY
There will be huge amount of media and press coverage during the campaign week, culminating in the illumination in yellow of many public buildings - including London's St Paul's Cathedral - on 8 December at 6 pm.
Friday 4th December the focus will be on the grief of young people
Saturday 5th December will cover men's grief
Sunday 6th December will focus on the loss of a child of any age and baby loss
During National Grief Awareness Week from 2 - 8 December we are encouraging you to share YOUR story on your social media. Please tag #thecompassionatefriendsuk on Facebook or @TCFcharityUK on Twitter and we will share your posts. Use the hashtags #ShareYourStory, #thecompassionatefriendsuk, #lossofachild, #siblingloss, and/or #NGAW20 on all your posts.
CAMPAIGN POSTERS 2020
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We will be widely sharing on social media this year's campaign posters - both represent the best of TCF's peer support - as we continue to share our grief and stories of love and loss despite our physical distance from one another. By sharing together we can offer hope to one another that we can survive and find a life again without our loved one. |
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Annual General Meeting of The Compassionate Friends
Saturday 21 November, 2.- 3.15 pm
Online via Zoom
Join us this year online to hear about the activities of our charity and help us to shape the future of our support and services for bereaved parents and their families. We would love to see you there.
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Back by popular demand - the lockdown Quiz |
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Virtually the Best Quiz Ever (Almost)
Monday 23 November, at 8 pm
Bring together your family and friends to play our fourth fun online quiz...with quizmaster extraordinaire, Stephen.
Challenge yourself on a dark, dreary November evening...AND help us to raise vital funds to support our services for bereaved parents and their families.
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Are you shopping online during November? |
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TCF’s fundraising income is down this year in line with many charities as nearly all fundraising events have been cancelled and many people are faced with their own financial challenges. So, if you can, please consider supporting us in any of the ways below. We really would be so grateful for any contribution you can make - small or large. |
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Shop at AmazonSmile - it's exactly the same as shopping at Amazon with all their usual books and products - and supports TCF at no cost to you.
Sign up to easyfundraising.com and donate to TCF every time you shop at over 4000 online stores - it costs you nothing.
Take on a challenge
Royal Parks Half Marathon
We have some places for runners in the deferred 2020 Royal Parks Half Marathon, now taking place on Sunday 11 April 2021. We ask runners to raise a minimum of £250. If you would like to register and to raise funds for TCF, please email stephen@tcf.org.uk in the first instance.
London Marathon
Our charity has a place in the 2021 London Marathon! If you'd like to express your interest in challenging yourself next year and raising funds for us at the same time, please let Stephen know at stephen@tcf.org.uk.
More ways to help
If you’re thinking about making your will, please do consider leaving a lasting gift to TCF via legacy. More information here.
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For more information on support and services for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents see our website at the buttons below. |
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